Methods for chair-side coating of endodontic cones

Abstract

Kits and methods facilitate chair-side coating of an endodontic cone for improved sealing between the hydrophilic root canal tissue, the hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone, and a hydrophilic sealing resin. The kit includes one or more endodontic cones (e.g., formed of gutta percha) and a micro-dose container containing an adhesive composition. The practitioner can dip the cones into the adhesive composition so as to coat the cones chair-side, just prior to use. The adhesive composition includes an adhesive resin compound comprising at least one hydrophobic region and at least one hydrophilic region. The hydrophobic region is compatible with the hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone, while the hydrophilic region is compatible with a hydrophilic endodontic sealing resin.

1 . A method of filling and sealing a root canal in a tooth, comprising:
 preparing a root canal of a patient during an endodontic procedure;   coating an endodontic cone while chair-side with an adhesive composition so as to coat at least a portion of the endodontic cone with the adhesive composition, the adhesive composition comprising an adhesive resin compound comprising a hydrophobic portion for adhering to a hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone and a hydrophilic portion that is chemically compatible with a hydrophilic sealing resin;   inserting the coated endodontic cone into the prepared root canal of the patient; and   introducing an endodontic sealing composition into the prepared root canal of the patient.   
   
   
       2 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the endodontic sealing composition introduced into the prepared root canal of the patient is a two-part chemical cure composition comprising at least one hydrophilic resin and an initiator-amine activator curing system. 
   
   
       3 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive composition on the coated endodontic cone is at least partially uncured, the initiator-amine activator system of the endodontic sealing resin facilitating curing of the adhesive resin compound. 
   
   
       4 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 3 , wherein substantially no curing of the adhesive resin compound is performed prior to inserting the coated endodontic cone into the prepared root canal of the patient. 
   
   
       5 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive resin further includes an initiator or an amine activator that accelerates curing of the endodontic sealing resin when contacted therewith. 
   
   
       6 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the endodontic cone is coated by inserting it into a micro-dose container that holds the adhesive composition, withdrawn from the micro-dose container, and then inserted into the prepared root canal immediately after being withdrawn from the micro-dose container. 
   
   
       7 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the micro-dose container defines a chamber for containing the adhesive composition, the chamber having a volume between about 20 and about 55 micro-liters. 
   
   
       8 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the coated endodontic cone is inserted into the prepared root canal prior to introducing the endodontic sealing composition into the prepared root canal. 
   
   
       9 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the endodontic sealing composition is introduced into the prepared root canal prior to inserting the coated endodontic cone into the prepared root canal. 
   
   
       10 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the endodontic sealing composition and the coated endodontic cone are introduced and inserted into the prepared root canal simultaneously. 
   
   
       11 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition is partially cured prior to inserting the coated endodontic cone into the prepared root canal of the patient. 
   
   
       12 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition remains substantially uncured prior to inserting the coated endodontic cone into the prepared root canal of the patient. 
   
   
       13 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising coating one or more additional endodontic cones with the adhesive composition and inserting them into the prepared root canal of the patient. 
   
   
       14 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising applying a non-stick coating to the one or more additional endodontic cones to inhibit adhesion with one or more other endodontic cones. 
   
   
       15 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the endodontic cone is comprised of at least one of gutta percha, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, a derivative of natural rubber, silicone rubber, neoprene, isoprene, or polybutadiene. 
   
   
       16 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition is comprised of a block copolymer having the following structure:
 methacrylate—urethane—hydrophobic backbone—urethane—methacrylate.   
   
   
       17 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition is comprised of a block copolymer having the following structure:
 methacrylate—urethane—hydrophobic backbone.   
   
   
       18 . A method of sealing and filling a root canal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition is comprised of a block copolymer having the following structure:
 methacrylate—urethane—hydrophobic backbone—urethane—hydrophobic backbone—urethane—methacrylate.   
   
   
       19 . A method of filling and sealing a root canal in a tooth, comprising:
 preparing a root canal of a patient during an endodontic procedure;   coating an endodontic cone while chair-side with an adhesive composition so as to coat at least a portion of the endodontic cone with the adhesive composition,
 the adhesive composition comprising an adhesive resin compound comprising a hydrophobic portion for adhering to a hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone and a hydrophilic portion that is chemically compatible with a hydrophilic sealing resin, the coated endodontic cone, 
 the adhesive composition remaining at least partially uncured prior to insertion into a root canal of a patient; 
   inserting the coated endodontic cone into the prepared root canal of the patient;   filling the root canal by introducing an endodontic sealing composition into the prepared root canal of the patient; and   causing or allowing the adhesive composition and endodontic sealing composition to cure within the filled root canal.   
   
   
       20 . A method of filling and sealing a root canal in a tooth, comprising:
 preparing a root canal of a patient during an endodontic procedure;   coating an endodontic cone while chair-side with an adhesive composition so as to coat at least a portion of the endodontic cone with the adhesive composition,
 the adhesive composition comprising an adhesive resin compound comprising a hydrophobic portion for adhering to a hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone and a hydrophilic portion that is chemically compatible with a hydrophilic sealing resin, the coated endodontic cone, 
 the adhesive composition remaining at least partially uncured prior to insertion into a root canal of a patient, 
 the adhesive composition comprising an initiator or an amine activator; 
   inserting the coated endodontic cone into the prepared root canal of the patient; and   filling the root canal by introducing an endodontic sealing composition into the prepared root canal of the patient,   the adhesive composition accelerating curing of the endodontic sealing composition.