Absorbent inserts for tooth cavities

Abstract

An absorbent insert of compressed matrix of absorbent material, including a filler dispersed therein to improve stiffness / rigidity of the insert and controls the absorbency of the compressed absorbent material. The insert is pre-shaped and sized for inserting into a tooth cavity, such as a pulp chamber or a root canal space. The compressed insert expands or swells upon absorbing fluid within the tooth cavity, so as to more completely dry the tooth cavity. The absorbent insert also serve as a substrate of an applicator for medical agent to be applied to a tooth cavity. The absorbent insert is provided (e.g., coated or impregnated) with a medical agent, which medical agent is released into the tooth cavity as the absorbent material absorbs fluid in the tooth cavity.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application claims the priority of: (a) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 519,129 filed on Jun. 13, 2017; and (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 632,394 filed on Feb. 19, 2018, which are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. All publications noted below are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present invention is directed to absorbent inserts which are used in tooth cavities (including pulp chambers and root canals).Description of Related Art[0003]Dental root canal treatment basically involves three steps: shaping, cleaning, and obturation. Cleaning step involves chemical solution irrigation and absorbent point drying the root canal space. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a human tooth (e.g., a molar). As shown, the tooth T has a crown (enamel) portion C protruding above the gum G. As shown, in the shaping step, the crown C ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved absorbent insert for use in tooth cavities with better rigidity and absorbent rate. The insert is made of a compressed absorbent material with fillers to improve stiffness and control absorbency. The insert expands when absorbing fluid in the tooth cavity, which helps to completely dry it. The medical agent may include various active ingredients such as healing, curative, remedial, restorative, tonic, reparative, corrective, antibiotic, anesthetic, disinfect, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving agents, among others. The absorbent insert with medical agent may serve as a dressing material for inter pulpal space therapy or treatment.

Problems solved by technology

Some of the obstacles encountered in utilizing known absorbent materials for root canal absorbent inserts include the requirement of very small size required of an absorbent insert to properly fit into full length of a root canal space, and the requirement to be able to completely remove the absorbent insert from the root canal space without breakage or debris of the absorbent insert in the root canal space.

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