Method Of Removing Pulp From The Pulp Cavity Of A Natural Tooth And Apparatus For Same

Abstract

A method for extracting pulp from a pulp canal in teeth comprises forming a channel in a tooth and extending the channel into communication with a pulp canal in the tooth. An external suction source is then secured into communicating operative association with the channel and suction is induced in the pulp canal to extract pulp from the latter. The method furthermore comprises securing a liquid supplying external source into communicating operative association with the channel formed in the tooth and feeding the liquid into the pulp canal for flushing pulp out of the latter. The inducing of the suction and the feeding of the liquid is generally done in alternating relation with one another. Apparatus for extracting pulp in accordance with the method for same comprises a hollow member which may be detachably connected to the pre-formed channel provided in the tooth, separate conduit members for communicating with the external suction source and the liquid supplying source respectively, and a coupling member for connecting each of the conduits to the hollow member such that both the external suction source and the liquid supplying source each communicates with the pulp canal for extraction of the pulp in the latter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dental surgery and more particularly to a method and apparatus for extracting pulp from a pulp canal in teeth.

Progress in the mechanics of dentistry has provided ways and means to reconstruct, rebuild and repair that which remains after a tooth has succumed to a dental disease so that a badly broken-down tooth may be restored to function successfully. The greatest factor in the problem deals with the treatment of teeth whose pulps have become diseased and exposed to infection by various types of microorganisms common to the human mouth. If infected pulp remains in an imperfectively filled root canal in a tooth, the latter becomes a constant source of danger, or the focus of infection.

The most common and widely accepted procedure of extracting infected pulp from a pulp canal in a tooth is that of the protracted surgical operation wherein the dental personnel and the dental tools utilized by the dental personnel must be maintained in a strict sterilized condition to obviate any risk of reinfecting the remaining tissue within the tooth during and after extraction of the pulp from the pulp canal therein. In this respect, the general practice is to utilize broaches which may be smooth or barbed, root canal files and spiral reamers, all of which when handled and temporarily stored during surgery must remain fully sterilized. Generally, the crown of the tooth is cut away to a great extent to fully expose the openings of each pulp canal so that dental personnel may insert the required surgical tools into the exposed pulp canal. This surgical practice, although most generally accepted, has a number of serious drawbacks and disadvantages associated therewith which may result, if not done properly, in disaster for the patient subjected to the surgical operation.

In this respect, there is the necessity for excavating the crown or, in effect, the enamel and dentin to expose the pulp canal. This excavation of the crown, which is often somewhat excessive, often results in a weakened tooth which must be eventually repaired by further dental procedure after the surgical operation.

Furthermore, there is always the possibility that the broach or tool may break within the pulp canal since in fact initially only a fine smooth broach is bent and inserted into the pulp canal to approximate the length and curvature of the canal and thus, there is always the possibility for tools subsequently inserted into the canal to fracture or break therein.

Another disadvantage with regard to the utilization of a broach is the fact that the broach may form or cause the formation of false pockets or ledges within the pulp canal thus further weakening the tooth beyond that which is acceptable. It should be understood that during the course of pulp removal there is constant filing of the canal wall. Thus, during this filing operation the broach itself must be prevented from being twisted and should be gently guided axially along the pulp canal to obviate both the possibility of broach fracture and the possibility of forming false pockets or ledges in the pulp canal.

It is significant to note that the surgical operation is a very delicate operation requiring great skill on the part of the dental specialist. Obviously, there are many hazards associated therewith and there must be maintained the strictest environment of sterilization to obviate any possibility of further contaminating the tissue remaining in the pulp or adjacent the latter so that the area surrounding the tooth and the tooth itself can heal properly without subjecting the patient to further discomfort and further surgery.

Because of the delicate nature of the surgical operation for extracting the infected pulp, many attempts have been made at eliminating the protracted nature of the surgery. In this respect, one method such as the method of "knocking out pulps" by driving hickory sticks into the root canal, or the use of a heated needle to destroy the pulp, or for that matter the process of pulp devitalization by chemical agents have all been attempted but these have proven to be unsuccessful and not generally accepted by the dental profession because of respective hazards associated with each as those skilled in the art readily appreciate.

It is clear, therefore, that the delicate surgical operation aforementioned is the only commonly and widely accepted practice for pulp extraction. Again, the hazards attributed thereto are numerous and, therefore, the disadvantages associated therewith leave much to be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide both a method and apparatus for extracting pulp from a pulp canal in teeth.

It is still another object of the present invention to obviate the necessity for excavating the pulp canal with tools such as broaches or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to obviate the risk of tool breakage within the pulp canal.

It is still another object of the present invention to obviate the risk of forming false ledges and pockets within the pulp canal which otherwise weaken the dentition or the tooth.

It is another object of the present invention to completely extract all infected pulp within the pulp canal.

It is still a further object of the present invention to obviate the delicate nature of the pulp extracting operation and the great skill required therefor.

To this end, the present invention relates to a method for extracting pulp from a pulp canal in teeth comprising forming a channel in a tooth and extending the channel into communication with a pulp canal in the tooth. An external suction source is then secured into communicating operative association with the channel and suction is induced in the pulp canal to extract pulp from the latter. The method furthermore comprises securing a liquid supplying external source into communicating operative association with the channel formed in the tooth and feeding the liquid into the pulp canal for flushing pulp out of the latter. The inducing of the suction and the feeding of the liquid is generally done in alternating relation with one another. Apparatus for extracting pulp in accordance with the method for same comprises a hollow member which may be detachably connected to the pre-formed channel provided in the tooth, separate conduit members for communicating with the external suction source and the liquid supplying source respectively, and a coupling member for connecting each of the conduits to the hollow member such that both the external suction source and the liquid supplying source each communicates with the pulp canal for extraction of the pulp in the latter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and additional objects and advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevational view, on enlarged scale, of a tooth;

FIG. 2 illustrates the tooth as illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein there is formed a channel in communication with the pulp canal in the tooth;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view generally similar to FIG. 2 including the manner by which the present invention is associated with the tooth;

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational view, in cross-section, of one embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevational view, in cross-section, of a second embodiment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view, in cross-section, of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a tooth generally denoted by the reference character 10 having portions of enamel 12, dentin 14 and a pulp canal 16 wherein there is live pulp 18 is illustrated. As is generally done in the process or operation of pulp extraction, the crown of the tooth 10 is excavated such that a channel 20 is formed as by drilling or the like and extends throughout the enamel and dentin portions 12 and 14 respectively into communication with the pulp canal 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The device according to the present invention is illustrated somewhat generally in FIG. 3 in operative association with the channel 20 pre-formed in the tooth 10. The device according to the present invention comprises a pulp extracting assembly 22 which includes an externally threaded hollow body 24, the latter having a chamber 25, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, extending therein. A coupling member 26 is utilized for interconnecting a flexible tube 28 to the externally threaded hollow body 24. The hollow body 24 is utilized by being threadedly inserted into the preformed channel 20 in detachable association with the latter. The flexible tube 28 is then connected to an external suction source (not shown in the drawing) which acts to induce suction in the pulp canal 16 and thereby extract the pulp 18 therein. The strength of the suction imposed within the pulp canal 16 may be readily controlled as by conventional means such that the pulp which is constituted of soft, highly vascular and sensitive tissue may be easily extracted.

It has been determined through experience that pulp extraction pursuant to the principal of the present invention may be effected and enhanced by flushing the pulp canal with a germicidal liquid during or alternately with the aforementioned application or inducement of suction. In this respect, there is illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 respectively, three further embodiments of the device or apparatus pursuant to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the hollow body 24 having a chamber 25 is threadedly associated detachably with a coupling member or collar 30, the latter including a closed end portion 32. A pair of threaded openings 34 are provided in the closed end portion 32 of the collar 30 for threadedly receiving detachably a pair of externally threaded hollow members 36 and 38 respectively which are in turn detachably associated with the flexible tubes 40 and 42 respectively. The flexible tube 40 communicates with an external suction source whereas flexible tube 42 communicates with an external liquid supplying source. Thus, when the hollow body 24 is threadedly inserted into the pre-formed channel 20 and communicates with the pulp canal 16, both the suction and germicidal liquid flushing operations can be effected simultaneously or alternately with one another through the intermediary of the externally threaded hollow members 36 and 38 respectively. It is significant to point out that the internal diameter of the hollow member 38 is substantially less than that internal diameter of the hollow member 36. The purpose of the reduced diameter of the member 38 is to permit the flushing fluid of germicidal content to be injected into the hollow body 24 and then into the pulp canal 16 at a greater velocity so that the force projected against the pulp 18 by the germicidal fluid is most effective for washing and flushing the pulp 18 from the pulp 16. It should be clear, of course, that the suction provided by external suction source acts to extract or remove both the pulp 18 and the flushing germicidal fluid injected into the pulp canal 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, there is a further embodiment of the apparatus pursuant to the present invention which comprises a coupling member or collar 44 having a closed end portion 46, the latter being provided with a threaded opening 48 extending therethrough. An externally threaded hollow member 50 is threadedly associated with the threaded opening 48 and communicates with the hollow body 24. A generally Y-shaped hollow member 52 is threadedly associated detachably with the member 50 and includes a body portion 54 and a pair of limbs 56 and 58 separated from one another in communicating relation with the body portion 54. The limb 56 communicates with an external suction source, whereas the limb 58 communicates with an external liquid supplying source. Thus, suction can be readily induced through the intermediary of the limb 56 and a germicidal fluid can be fed through the intermediary of the limb 58. Both the suction flow and feed of germicidal fluid pass commonly through the body portion 54, the hollow member 50, the collar 44 and the hollow body 24, the latter which communicates with the pulp canal 16 through the intermediary of the pre-formed channel 20. It should be understood, of course, that the suction flow and the feed of germicidal fluid can be effected simultaneously with one another or in alternating succession.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated still a further embodiment pursuant to the principles of the present invention. In this respect, there is provided a coupling member 60 or collar which is integrally provided with a pair of separated extension ports 62 and 64 respectively. The ports 62 and 64 are illustrated in opposing relation, but it should be equally clear that they may be associated with one another or angularly inclined relative to one another in any selected manner. The collar 60 is detachably associated threadedly with the externally threaded hollow body 24 in a manner as was discussed above for the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively. Again, the extension port 62 communicates with a suction source through the intermediary of a flexible tube and the extension port 64 communicates with a liquid supplying external source through the intermediary of a further flexible tube. In this manner, the suction flow and feed of germicidal fluid into the pulp canal 16 can be easily affected in alternating succession or simultaneously with one another.

It is significant to point out that the relationship of each of the members which are threadedly associated with one another in each of the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6 is such so as to be sealed against air and liquid leakage in a conventional manner and therefore description of same is omitted herefrom for the sake of clarity.

The principal of the present invention is clearly to utilize suction as the means for extracting pulp from the pulp canal in a tooth. The suction of course should be sufficient for effecting pulp extraction and although certain of the embodiments illustrated in the drawing utilize germicidal fluid to aid in the extraction of the pulp, the principal of inducing only suction within the pulp canal is sufficient for extracting the pulp therein. Of course, the feeding of a germicidal fluid for flushing the pulp out of the pulp canal enhances the pulp extraction process and, thus, the embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 are more effective. In the latter embodiments, various conventional switching or valving devices may be utilized for controlling both the feed of germicidal fluid and the suction induced in the pulp canal. These may be operatively associated with one another and with both the suction external source and the fluid supplying external source in a conventional manner and thus description of same is omitted for the sake of clarity.

In summary, therefore, the present invention may be utilized first by forming a channel in the tooth so that it extends throughout the enamel and dentin into communication with the pulp canal of the tooth. The externally threaded hollow body 24, which is generally of the same configuration in each of the embodiments according to the present invention, is then threadedly inserted into the pre-formed channel 20 of the tooth. If the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3 is employed, the device according to the present invention is simply connected to a suction external source so that the suction can be induced within the pulp canal for extracting the pulp from the latter. If the embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 respectively are utilized then the device is also placed into communication with a liquid supplying external source so that a germicidal fluid can be fed into the pulp canal to aid in the extraction process whether the fluid be fed alternately or simultaneously with the suction induced in the pulp canal.

It should be apparent at this stage that the present invention does not utilize any tools in any form whatsoever for excavating the pulp canal and, therefore, there is completely obviated any possibility of forming false ledges and pockets which otherwise weaken the dentition or tooth. Furthermore, with the utilization of the method and apparatus according to the present invention, there is completely obviated any risk of tool breakage within the pulp canal. Thus, it should be equally clear that the present invention may be practiced by persons skilled in the dental art, and yet not necessarily greatly skilled in surgical procedure. Thus, the delicate nature of surgical operation is completely obviated by the present invention and, therefore, the latter constitutes a surge forward in the art.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for extracting pulp from a pulp canal in teeth, said method comprising forming a channel in a tooth, extending said channel into communication with a pulp canal in the tooth, removably self-threading a hollow body member in the channel in a secured position to close the channel so that all external communication with the pulp canal must be through a chamber of said hollow body member, securing an external suction source to said hollow body member in communication with said chamber, and inducing suction with said suction source to extract pulp from the pulp canal.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, including securing a liquid supplying external source into communicating operative association with said channel, and feeding the liquid into the pulp canal for flushing pulp out of the latter.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, including inducing said suction and feeding said liquid in alternating relation with one another.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, including connecting one end of a resilient generally tubular member to said external suction source and connecting an opposite end of said tubular member to said hollow body member for said securing of said suction source to said body member.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, including threading an internally threaded collar on said body member for receiving said tubular member.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, including providing said collar with an extension port for direct detachable association with said tubular member and communication with said body member.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, including providing said collar with a further extension port for detachable association with a liquid supplying external source.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, including connecting one end of a further resilient generally tubular member to said liquid supplying external source and connecting an opposite end of said further tubular member to said further extension port for interconnecting said liquid supplying external source and said further extension port.

9. A method as claimed in claim 5, including providing said collar with a threaded opening therein, and threading a hollow externally threaded member in said threaded opening for interconnecting said collar and said tubular member.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, including providing said collar with a second threaded opening therein, and threading a second hollow externally threaded member in said second threaded opening for detachable association with a liquid supplying external source.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, including providing said second threaded member with an internal diameter of substantially lesser extent than that of said first-mentioned threaded member.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10, including connecting one end of a second resilient generally tubular member to said liquid supply external source and connecting an opposite end of said second tubular member to said second threaded member for interconnecting said liquid supplying external source and said second thread member.

13. A method as claimed in claim 2, including connecting one limb of a generally Y-shaped hollow member to said external suction source, connecting a second limb of said Y-shaped member to said liquid supplying source, and connecting a third limb of said Y-shaped member to said hollow body member.

14. A method as claimed in claim 2, including providing means for controlling flow of the liquid into the pulp canal and for controlling the suction provided by said suction source.