EP1871270A1

EP1871270A1 - Kits and methods for installing a dental post

Info

Publication number: EP1871270A1
Application number: EP06740080A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dan Fischer
Original assignee: Ultradent Products Inc
Current assignee: Ultradent Products Inc
Priority date: 2005-04-01
Filing date: 2006-03-31
Publication date: 2008-01-02
Also published as: WO2006107714A1

Abstract

A dental kit (100a-100d) includes various pre-packaged components for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., root canal) of a person's tooth. In one aspect, the dental kit (100a-100d) includes a finishing drill (102) and a permanent dental post (104) of corresponding size, both of which include a visual code that identifies their size. In another aspect, the dental kit further includes (i) one or more of a dental post analog (108) used to test the size of the prepared recess prior to inserting a permanent dental post (104) therein and/or (ii) a starter drill (106) in addition to the finishing drill (102). A kit (10) of dental sub-kits (100a-100d) includes a plurality of dental kits (100a-100d) that include components of differing size and that have a visual code that identifies the respective sizes of the components of individual sub-kits (100a-100d).

Description

KITS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING A DENTAL POST

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of endodontics and dental prosthetics. More particularly, the invention relates to kits and methods for installing a dental post as part of a procedure for attaching a crown or other dental prosthesis to a patient's tooth.

2. The Relevant Technology

When performing a root canal, the dental practitioner {e.g., endodontist) typically removes the pulp material forming the nerve of the tooth at issue, carefully prepares the canal that contained the nerve material and other pulp tissues, obturates or fills and seals the canal, and later inserts a dental post into the prepared root canal. The dental post serves to provide support for the coronal aspect of the tooth and/or prosthetic device attached to the tooth.

In determining which dental post to install, the dental practitioner considers the length, taper, and size required. In addition, the size of the drills used in preparing a post preparation depends on the size of the post to be placed. Once completed, the drills used to prepare the root canal for receipt of the dental post may be discarded or reused, typically after disinfecting {e.g., by chemical disinfectants or autoclaving).

Problems arise when trying to sort through variously-sized used drills and match them up with variously sized dental posts due to their extremely small size and even smaller size differences between differently-sized drills and posts.

In view of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need for kits and methods which would simplify the process of placing a dental post, particularly in selecting a correctly-sized post depending on the patient's need and matching up a properly-sized drill with a given dental post.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is directed to a dental kit, and also a kit of dental sub- kits, for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess {e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. Dental kits according to one aspect of the invention include one or more finishing drills and one or more permanent dental posts of corresponding size, and optionally, one or more dental post analogs and one or more starter drills. Such kits are advantageously prepackaged within a container having an interior, means for suspending the kit components within the container (e.g., a foam material, molded plastic with through-holes, or other suspending, holding and/or organizing structure), and a tethered or removable lid.

In a preferred embodiment, such kits include coding means for distinguishing the size of kit components from differently-sized components and matching similarly- sized components (e.g., an associated color, number, letter, or other unique visual marking), which provides a visual indication of the size (or other related aspects) of the kit components. The unique visual marking may be placed on one or more of the kit container and kit components (i.e., drill(s), dental post(s), post analog(s), etc.) Preferred kits of dental sub-kits are prepackaged within a tray having an interior recess configured to removably receive therein a plurality of individual dental sub-kits. Each sub-kit of the inventive kit may have an associated color, number, letter, or other marking on one or more of the kit container and kit components to distinguish from at least one other sub-kit container and/or sub-kit components within the kit. The color, number, letter or other visual marking associated with each sub-kit identifies the size of the components associated with the sub-kit. Each sub-kit includes one or more finishing drills and one or more permanent dental posts. Each sub-kit may optionally include one or more starter drills and/or one or more dental post analogs. Each sub-kit is advantageously prepackaged within a container having an interior, means for suspending the sub-kit components within the container (e.g., a foam material, molded plastic with through-holes, or other suspending, holding and/or organizing structure), and a tethered or removable lid.

One example of the finishing drill may include a metallic shaft having a proximal portion and a distal cutting portion, a smooth heat generating tip at the end of the distal portion, and a central abrasive portion between the proximal end and the distal end. In use the finishing drill is configured to form a bore at least approximately corresponding to the size, shape, and length of a selected permanent dental post. Thus, the finishing drill(s) within a given kit or sub-kit may advantageously correspond to the size of the permanent dental post(s) within the kit or sub-kit and may include visual coding means, as may other components within the kit. Each permanent dental post included within each kit or sub-kit includes a distal insertion portion for insertion into a prepared recess of a tooth and a proximal portion extending beyond the distal insertion portion. Permanent dental posts may be formed of any suitable material. According to one embodiment the permanent dental posts comprise a metal or fiber material {e.g., carbon or quartz fiber composite). They may advantageously include visual coding means, as may other components within the kit.

In some cases, the dental kit (or sub-kits within a kit of sub-kits) may be disposable. Alternatively the components of the kit or sub-kit may be autoclavable so as to allow for cleaning and reuse. Kits or sub-kits in which the individual components include visual coding means are particularly advantageous when it is desired to clean and reuse the components because it facilitates sorting of differently- sized components into kits of corresponding size.

The dental kits or sub-kits may be used for placing a dental post within a prepared recess of a tooth. According to one embodiment,' a dental practitioner selects a dental sub-kit from the plurality of sub-kits containing components of a desired size. The dental practitioner uses a finishing drill of a desired size to prepare the recess of a tooth for insertion of a dental post. The dental practitioner then inserts a permanent dental post of a size corresponding to the finishing drill kit into the prepared recess of a tooth. If provided, a starter drill and/or a dental post analog may be used in preparation for placement of a permanent dental post. The dental practitioner may use a starter drill from the kit or selected sub-kit to remove the coronal gutta-percha within the packed and sealed tooth recess to make an initial enlargement of the canal, while a dental post analog may be used as a try-in to verify or determine the correct size, girth, and length of permanent dental post to be used. Once a permanent dental post has been inserted into the prepared tooth recess, a core and dental prosthesis may be formed and fitted over the inserted permanent dental post.

The optional starter drill includes a shank and a cutting portion at the tip of the shank. The optional dental post analog includes an analog post body with a distal insertion portion and a proximal portion extending beyond the distal insertion portion. The distal insertion portion at least approximately corresponds to the size, shape, and length of a selected permanent dental post. The dental post analog is configured for temporary insertion into a recess of a tooth (e.g., a prepared root canal).

These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary kit of sub-kits for dental surgery; Figure 2 is a close up perspective view of a dental kit according to the invention (e.g., one of the sub-kits of Figure 1);

Figure 3 A is a perspective view of an exemplary finishing drill; Figure 3 B is a close up perspective view of the distal tip of the finishing drill of Figure 3 A; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary permanent dental post;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary starter drill; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary dental post analog; Figure 7 illustrates use of the starter drill of Figure 5 to remove coronal gutta- percha from a packed and sealed recess of a tooth prior to insertion of a dental post; Figure 8 illustrates use of the finishing drill of Figure 3A to remove gutta percha so as to prepare a recess of a tooth for insertion of a dental post;

Figures 9A-9B illustrate a method of using a dental post analog as a try-in for a permanent dental post; and

Figure 10 illustrates a completed dental restoration including a permanent dental post, a core, and a crown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction

The present invention is directed to a dental kit, as well as a kit of dental sub- kits, for use in placing a dental post in a person's tooth. Dental kits according to one aspect of the invention include one or more finishing drills and one or more permanent dental posts of corresponding size, and optionally, one or more dental post analogs and one or more starter drills. The kit of sub-kits may include a tray having an interior recess configured to removably receive therein a plurality of individual dental kits (i.e., sub-kits within the overall kit). Each kit or sub-kit includes a finishing drill and one or more permanent dental posts. Each kit or sub-kit may optionally include a starter drill and/or a dental post analog.

In a preferred embodiment, each kit or sub-kit includes coding means for distinguishing the kit components from differently-sized components matching similarly-sized components (e.g., an associated color, number, letter, or other unique visual marking). The unique visual marking may be placed on one or more of the kit or sub-kit container and kit or sub-kit components (i.e., drill(s), dental post(s), post analog(s), etc.) .The inventive kits or sub-kits are advantageously prepackaged within a container having an interior, means for suspending the kit components within the container (e.g., a foam material, molded plastic with through-holes, or other suspending, holding and/or organizing structure), and a tethered or removable lid. II. Exemplary Kits and Kits of Sub-Kits for Dental Surgery

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary kit 10 of sub-kits (e.g., 100a, 100b, 100c, and 10Od) for placing a dental post in a prepared recess of a person's tooth. Kit 10 includes a tray 12 having an interior recess 14 configured to removeably receive a plurality of individual sub-kits (e.g., 100a, 100b, 100c, and 10Od). Each sub-kit may include a unique visual marking (e.g., number 16, letter (not shown), or associated color, e.g., color stripe 18) so as to distinguish it from at least one other sub-kit within the kit. The visual marking (i.e., coding means for providing visual indication of the size of the kit components) associated with each sub-kit identifies the size of components contained within the sub-kit. For example, a yellow sub-kit may contain components for use with relatively small root canals, red and blue sub-kits may contain components for use with intermediate size root canals, and a green sub-kit may contain components for use with relatively large root canals. Alternatively, numbers or letters of ascending or descending order may provide a visual indicator of the relative size of kit components among the various sub-kits.

An exemplary dental kit or sub-kit 100 is illustrated in Figure 2. The kit or sub-kit 100 illustrated in this example includes a finishing drill 102 and a plurality of permanent dental posts 104. Kit or sub-kit 100 includes a container 101 having an interior, a foam material (not shown) for suspending and maintaining the contents of sub-kit 100 within container 101, and a removable Hd 105. Illustrated kit or sub-kit 100 includes one finishing drill 102, three permanent dental posts 104, two optional starter drills 106, and an optional dental post analog 108. Although illustrated with specific numbers of the various components (e.g., one finishing drill, three permanent dental posts, two starter drills, and one dental post analog), any number of each may be provided, as desired.

The container 101 shown in Figure 2 further includes visual markings that help identify the size of the kit components. For example, size-identifier number 16 on the container 101 corresponds to the size of the kit components, as does color stripe 18. According to one currently preferred embodiment, the kit components include a corresponding numeric indicator and color striping. This is particularly advantageous in the case where it is desired to clean and reuse the kit components (e.g., by autoclaving). Because it may not be convenient to only autoclave similarly- sized kit components, but rather variously-sized components that have been used during a given time period, providing visual markings on the individual kit components facilitates later sorting and grouping of similarly-sized components when reconstructing the kit(s) for later use.

A. An Exemplary Finishing Drill Figures 3 A and 3B illustrate an exemplary finishing drill 102. Finishing drill

102 includes a metallic shaft 110 having a proximal portion 112 configured for attachment to a dental head piece, and a distal cutting portion 114. Finishing drill 102 also includes a smooth heat generating tip 116 (shown in close up in Figure 3B) at the end of distal portion 114 and a central abrasive portion 118 located between proximal portion 112 and distal cutting portion 114. In use, finishing drill 102 is configured to form a bore that at least approximately corresponds to the size, shape, and length of the permanent dental post(s) also included within same sub-kit 100.

The finishing drill 102 illustrated in Figure 3 A also includes visual markings corresponding to the size of the drill. These include numeric marking 134 and color stripes 135. It will be understood that any visual marking, or combination of visual markings, may be included to indicate size or other aspects that relate together components of the kit from which the drill is selected.

Figure 3B illustrates a close up perspective view of heat generating tip 116.

Additional details regarding heat generating tip 116, and exemplary embodiments of finishing drills are disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication 2004/0081940. Exemplary finishing drills are sold under the trade name GYROTIP by MTI Precision Products LLC, located in Lakewood, New Jersey.

B. An Exemplary Permanent Dental Post

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary permanent dental post 104. Permanent dental post 104 includes a distal insertion portion 120 for insertion into a prepared recess of a tooth (e.g., a root canal). Permanent dental post 104 also includes a proximal portion 122 which extends beyond distal insertion portion 120. The distal insertion portion 120 includes a tapered portion (beginning at 121) and a non-tapered parallel portion which extends up through proximal portion 122.

The permanent dental post 104 illustrated in Figure 4 also includes visual markings corresponding to the size of the post. These include numeric marking 134 and color stripes 135. It will be understood that any visual marking, or combination of visual markings, may be included to indicate size or other aspects that relate together components of the kit from which the dental post is selected.

Permanent dental posts included in the kits or sub-kits of the invention may comprise any suitable material. According to one preferred embodiment, permanent dental post 104 comprises a metal or fiber material (e.g., carbon or quartz fiber composite). Exemplary permanent dental posts are sold by RTD, located in Grenoble, France.

C. An Exemplary Starter Drill Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary starter drill 106. Exemplary starter drill 106 includes a metallic shaft 124 having a proximal portion 126 configured for attachment to a dental head piece, and a distal cutting portion 128, which may be bulbous, as illustrated. Starter drill 106 may be useful for removing coronal gutta-percha prior to use of finishing drill 102. Exemplary starter drills (e.g., Gates Glidden) are sold by Brasseler USA, located in Savannah, Georgia.

The starter drill 106 illustrated in Figure 5 also includes visual markings corresponding to the size of the drill. These include numeric marking 134 and color stripes 135. It will be understood that any visual marking, or combination of visual markings, may be included to indicate size or other aspects that relate together components of the kit from which the drill is selected. D. An Exemplary Dental Post Analog Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary dental post analog 108. Dental post analog

108 includes an analog post body 109. Post body 109 includes a distal insertion portion 129 and a proximal portion 130 extending beyond distal insertion portion 129. The distal insertion portion 129 at least approximately corresponds in size, shape, and length to a permanent dental post (e.g., permanent dental post 104). Distal insertion portion 129 is configured for temporary insertion into a prepared recess of a tooth.

Analog post body 109 also includes. at least one of means for determining the depth of placement of the distal insertion portion, means for gripping the post body, or means for tethering the post body. The illustrated embodiment of dental post analog 108 includes markings 131 formed along distal insertion portion 129. Markings 131 are one example of means for determining the depth of placement of the distal insertion portion. Alternative examples of means for determining the depth of placement of the distal insertion portion include one or more circumferential grooves formed within the distal insertion portion or one or more circumferential ridges formed within the distal insertion portion. Dental post analog 108 may include means for gripping analog post body 109.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 includes a handle 132 formed near a proximal end of proximal portion 130 of post body 109. Handle 132 is one example of means for gripping analog post body 109.

Dental post analog 108 may also include means for tethering post body 109. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 includes a hole 133 formed through the proximal portion of handle 132. A string or other flexible leash can be inserted into hole 133 for tethering post body 109 as a safety measure (e.g., to prevent inadvertent swallowing of or chocking on post body 109). Hole 133 is one example of means for tethering post body 109.

Dental post analog 108 may include visual coding means for identifying the size of dental post analog 108. Number 134 is one example of means for coding. A letter (not shown) or other marking (e.g., stripes 135) may alternatively be used. In some cases, coding means for identifying the size or other unique aspect of dental post analog 108 may comprise forming at least a portion of post body 109 so as to be of a selected color, preferably the same color associated with the selected sub-kit (e.g., yellow may signify the smallest size, red and blue may signify or identify intermediate sizes, while green may signify a largest size).

The dental post analogs may be formed from any suitable material. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic materials, thermoset materials, ceramics, or metals.

According to one embodiment, at least the distal insertion portion 129 of post body 109 may be formed of a material that is radiopaque. Such an embodiment allows a dental practitioner to see the location of a dental post analog while inserted into a prepared recess of a tooth by x-ray or other radiograph.

The contents of each dental kit or sub-kit, including the finishing drill, any optional starter drills and/or dental post analogs, and even the permanent dental posts may be autoclavable, so as to allow for cleaning and reuse of the sub-kit components. Alternatively, the sub-kit and its contents may be disposable. Providing the individual kit components with coding means, as opposed to merely coding the kit container, is particularly useful where it is desired to clean differently-sized components from various kits at the same time and then reconstruct one or more kits from the cleaned components.

III. Exemplary Methods of Use

Figure 7 illustrates a tooth 136 which has been broken down in preparation for fitting of a dental prosthesis (e.g., a crown). Prepared tooth recess 138 (e.g., a root canal) has been reamed out to remove nerve and other tissue, while also increasing the size of recess 138 in preparation to installing a dental post and dental prosthesis. The tooth recess 138 has also been packed and sealed with packing material 140 (e.g., gutta-percha).

In order to prepare tooth recess 138 for insertion of a permanent dental post, starter drill 106 may be used to remove the coronal gutta-percha or other packing material 140 down to the root canal orifice. Once the coronal gutta-percha has been removed, a finishing drill 102 may be used to remove additional packing material, while slightly widening the width of recess 138 down to a desired depth as illustrated in Figure 8. The removal of packing material 140, and slight widening and shaping of tooth recess 138 prepares recess 138 to receive a permanent dental post. Use of starter drill 106 is optional, i.e., finishing drill 102 may be used to remove any needed packing material 140, without the use of starter drill 106.

As illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B one or more dental post analogs may optionally be used as a try-in for determining the size, girth, and length of a correctly sized permanent dental post. In this procedure, a dental practitioner selects a dental post analog of a desired size, and as illustrated in Figure 9A, the dental post analog 108' is inserted into prepared tooth recess 138 of tooth 136 on a trial basis to determine whether inserted dental post analog 108' corresponds to a correctly sized permanent dental post. Figure 9A illustrates insertion of a dental post analog 108' which is too narrow. The dental practitioner may continue to insert incrementally larger sized dental post analogs until the correctly sized post analog is identified. Figure 9B illustrates insertion of a thicker dental post analog 108", which is correctly sized with respect to tooth recess 138. Using one or more dental post analogs as try- ins aids the dental practitioner in determining which size of permanent dental post should be used. Use of the dental post analogs allows the dental practitioner to do so inexpensively and conveniently. In addition, the procedure can be performed without contaminating the permanent dental posts during a try-in procedure. Once removed, the dental post analog may either be discarded or autoclaved, as desired.

A dental prosthesis 144 (e.g., a crown) and supporting core 142 may then be formed, fitted, and bonded, cemented, or otherwise placed over inserted and bonded permanent dental post 104. Methods for forming and placing a supporting core 142 and a dental prosthesis 144 will be known to those skilled in the art. Additional methods for forming and placing a core and dental prosthesis employing the dental post analogs optionally included in each sub-kit are disclosed in a U.S. Application Serial No. 11/094,991, filed March 31, 2005.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A dental kit having components that are easily identifiable based on size, that can be quickly selected for use in placing a correctly-sized permanent dental post in a person's tooth, and that can be sterilized together with differently-sized components and then easily sorted to reconstruct a kit of similarly-sized components, the dental kit comprising: at least one finishing drill having a predetermined size selected from a plurality of possible sizes, the at least one finishing drill including: a metallic shaft having a proximal portion and a distal cutting portion; and first coding means for distinguishing the at least one finishing drill from differently-sized finishing drills and for matching the at least one finishing drill with similarly-sized kit components; and at least one permanent dental post having a predetermined size selected from a plurality of possible sizes and corresponding to the predetermined size of the at least one finishing drill, the at least one permanent dental post including: a distal insertion portion for insertion into a recess of a tooth; a proximal portion designed so as to extend beyond the distal insertion portion and provide reinforcement to a tooth and/or dental prosthetic; and second coding means for distinguishing the at least one permanent dental post from differently-sized permanent dental posts and for matching the at least one permanent dental post with similarly- sized kit components.

2. A kit as recited in claim 1, further comprising a container into which the at least one finishing drill, permanent dental post, and optional components are packaged, the container having an interior, means for suspending kit components within the container, and a lid.

3. A kit as recited in claim 2, the container further including third coding means for distinguishing the size of the kit components contained therein from differently-sized components from a different kit.

4. A kit as recited in claims 1 or 3, wherein the first, second and third coding means comprise at least one of a number, letter, color, or other unique visual indicator.

5. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least one dental post analog having a predetermined size selected from a plurality of possible sizes and corresponding to the predetermined size of the at least one finishing drill and of the at least one permanent dental post, the dental post analog being comprised of: a distal insertion portion, at least approximately corresponding to the size, shape, and length of a permanent dental post, for temporary insertion into a recess of a tooth; a proximal portion extending beyond said distal insertion portion; and coding means for distinguishing the at least one dental post analog from differently-sized dental post analogs and for matching the at least one dental post analog with similarly-sized kit components.

6. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least one starter drill having a predetermined size selected from a plurality of possible sizes and corresponding to the predetermined size of the at least one finishing drill and of the at least one permanent dental post, the starter drill being comprised of: a metallic shank having a proximal portion and a cutting portion at the tip of the shank; and coding means for distinguishing the at least one starter drill from differently-sized starter drills and for matching the at least one starter drill with similarly-sized kit components.

7. A method of cleaning similarly-sized components and reconstructing a dental kit at least partially comprised of used components form a dental kit, comprising: using a plurality of similarly-sized components from the dental kit of claim 1; cleaning at least some of the similarly-sized components from the dental kit together with differently-sized components; sorting the similarly-sized components, using the coding means, from the differently-sized components; and reconstructing a dental kit at least partially comprised of used components by grouping together similarly-sized components having corresponding coding means.

8. A kit of dental sub-kits for use in placing a correctly-sized permanent dental post in a person's tooth, comprising: a tray having an interior recess configured to removably receive therein a plurality of individual dental sub-kits according to claim 1, each sub-kit having an associated color, number, letter, or other coding means that distinguishes it from at least one other sub-kit within the kit based on size.

9. A kit of dental sub-kits for use in placing a correctly-sized permanent dental post in a person's tooth, comprising: a tray having an interior recess configured to removably receive therein a plurality of individual dental sub-kits, each sub-kit having an associated color, number, letter, or other marking that distinguishes it from at least one other sub-kit within the kit based on component size, each sub-kit being comprised of the following components: a finishing drill comprised of a metallic shaft having a proximal portion and a distal cutting portion, in use said finishing drill forming a bore at least approximately corresponding to the size, shape, and length of a selected permanent dental post; and at least one permanent dental post comprised of a distal insertion portion for insertion into a prepared recess of a tooth and a proximal portion designed so as to extend beyond the distal insertion portion and provide reinforcement to a tooth and/or dental prosthetic.

10. A kit as recited in claims 8 or 9, each sub-kit further comprising a container having an interior, means for suspending sub-kit components within said container, and a lid.

11. A dental kit for placement of a dental post in a person's tooth comprising: a container having an interior, means for suspending kit components within the container, and a lid; at least one finishing drill comprised of a metallic shaft having a proximal portion and a distal cutting portion, in use the finishing drill forming a bore at least approximately corresponding to the size, shape, and length of a selected permanent dental post; at least one permanent dental post comprised of a distal insertion portion for insertion into a prepared recess of a tooth and a proximal portion designed so as to extend beyond the distal insertion portion and provide reinforcement to a tooth and/or dental prosthetic; and at least one dental post analog comprised of a distal insertion portion, at least approximately corresponding to the size, shape, and length of a permanent dental post, for temporary insertion into a recess of a tooth and a proximal portion extending beyond said distal insertion portion.

12. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of said - permanent dental posts comprises a metal or fiber material.

13. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of said permanent dental posts comprises carbon or quartz fiber composite material.

14. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 13, wherein said dental kit or at least one of said dental sub-kits further comprises at least one starter drill.

15. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 14, wherein said dental kit or at least one of said dental sub-kits further comprises at least one dental post analog comprising: a distal insertion portion, at least approximately corresponding to the size, shape, and length of a permanent dental post, for temporary insertion into a prepared recess of a tooth; and a proximal portion extending beyond said distal insertion portion.

16. A kit as recited in claims 5 or 15, wherein the at least one dental post analog is formed from at least one of a thermoplastic material, a thermoset material, a ceramic, or a metal.

17. A kit as recited in claims 5 or 15, wherein at least the distal insertion portion of the dental post analog is radiopaque.

18. A kit as recited in claims 5 or 15, wherein the dental post analog comprises depth determining means for determining the depth of placement of the distal insertion portion, the depth determining means comprising one or more of circumferential grooves, ridges, or markings formed within the distal insertion portion.

19. A kit as recited in claims 5 or 15, wherein the dental post analog further comprises a handle formed near a proximal end of the proximal portion.

20. A kit as recited in claims 5 or 15, wherein the dental post analog further comprises a hole formed through the proximal portion.

21. A kit as recited in claim 15, the dental post analog further comprising coding means for identifying the size of the dental post analog, the coding means comprising at least one of a number, letter, color, or other visual marking.

22. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the dental kit or dental sub-kits are disposable.

23. A kit as recited in any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the dental kit or dental sub-kits are autoclavable.