| Endodontic root-canal jig and fixture -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Endodontic root-canal jig and fixtureRelated Patent Categories: Dentistry, Apparatus, Tool BitEndodontic root-canal jig and fixture description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070281275, Endodontic root-canal jig and fixture. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/771,835, filed on Feb. 3, 2004 which in turn claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/444,848, filed on Feb. 4, 2003, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention is related to root canal operations. More specifically, this invention is related to improved equipment for performing endodontic root canals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] When performing root canals, it is essential to drill into the root of the tooth all the way down to the apex. It is essential that the drilling terminate nearly exactly at the apex, as over-drilling through the apex may result in permanent damage to the tooth, and under drilling, or stopping before the apex, may not remove all of the necessary material, resulting in an increased chance for future infection. [0004] Presently, while performing root-canals a dentist first measures the dept of the root to the apex by inserting a needle into the tooth and performing an X-ray. The height of the needle inserted within the tooth is noted and then added to the distance between the end of the needle and the apex in the X-ray. This combined height of the needle within the tooth and the distance from the apex is added together to get the total height of the root. [0005] After the height of the root is determined, a visual stopper, such as rubber colored stopper, is positioned on the shank of the drill set in order to provide the dentist with a visual marking on the shank as to the height of the root to be drilled. The dentist then begins drilling the shank down into the root of the tooth until the stopper is flush with the top of the tooth. [0006] There are several drawback associated with this method for performing root canals. Most importantly, the stopper or marker disposed on the shank does not act as a physical stopper but rather a visual indicator only prompting the dentist to stop drilling on their own. However, a number of occurrences can result in the dentist over drilling the root. For example, problems that could arise include but are not limited to: the dentist's hand or eyes may be fatigued after performing many root canals; the rubber stopper may move during drilling; the mouth may be small resulting in improper or insufficient lighting; the tooth may be chipped providing an uneven stopping point; the hole within the tooth may be too large to properly gauge when the stopper has reached the top of the tooth; or the angle of the handset may impair the dentist's view. [0007] In each of these instances it is possible that the dentist may over drill or under drill the root, overshooting or undershooting the apex, causing lasting damage to the affected tooth. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is the object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks associated with the prior art devices used in root-canal. [0009] Thus, it is one object of the present invention to provide a jig and fixture that will automatically stop the drilling process in a root canal at the intended depth so as to prevent over drilling or under drilling of the patients tooth root. [0010] It is another object of the present invention, to provide a jig ring, stem and housing assembly that will automatically stop the drilling process in a root canal at the intended depth so as to prevent over drilling or under drilling of the patients tooth root. [0011] To this end the present invention provides for a device for use in an endodontic root canal, performed using a dental drill hand set. The device comprises a root canal jig having a top and bottom and an adjustable height. The top of the root canal jig is attached to the dental drill hand set and configured to allow a drill shank to pass therethrough. The root canal jig is configured to allow a portion of the drill shank, less than the total height of the drill shank, to be exposed out from the bottom of the root canal jig, such that when the bottom of the root canal jig contacts the top of an affected tooth, the drill shank is prevented from drilling any further into the affected tooth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The various objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: [0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a drill hand set having the root canal jig attached thereto, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the root canal jig from FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the root canal jig from FIG. 2 with height markings, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the root canal jig from FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the drill hand set, root canal jig and drill shank from FIG. 1 with a patient's tooth, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 6 is combined side view of the drill hand set, root canal jig, drill shank and patient's tooth from FIG. 5, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 7A is a side view of a jig ring, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Endodontic root-canal jig and fixture... Full patent description for Endodontic root-canal jig and fixture Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Endodontic root-canal jig and fixture patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Endodontic root-canal jig and fixture or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Dental wrench and method of use thereof Next Patent Application: Denture liner, denture liner kit and method for making a denture liner Industry Class: Dentistry ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Endodontic root-canal jig and fixture patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.8145 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
