ProTaper Ultimate™ F1, 31mm (6)

ProTaper Ultimate™ · F1 · 31 mm

Apical shapingCurved canalsDeep shapeGauging the canal

F1 on a long root: the first Finisher, and the file that tells you whether to go up

Which Finisher do I stop at? Dentsply Sirona answer it with the file itself. Take F1 to length, withdraw it and look at the apical flutes: loaded with dentine, the preparation is finished. Clean and loose, go to F2. F1 is where that question is asked on every case. This is the 31 mm version, for long roots that a 25 mm file will not take to working length.

Sizes as Dentsply Sirona print them. Motor settings from their Fact File. Comparisons are Dentsply Sirona laboratory data on file.

This pack: ProTaper Ultimate™ F1 Rotary File, 31 mm (Pack of 6)
Dentsply Sirona · made by Maillefer Instruments Holding Sàrl, Ballaigues, Switzerland

What this file does

›  Deep shape, from the smallest Finisher. Dentsply Sirona give every Finisher an apical taper of at least 7% – F1 7%, F2 8%, F3 9% – to keep the ProTaper deep-shape philosophy of increased apical taper.
›  Against the ProTaper Gold® F1. In Dentsply Sirona’s own laboratory testing, Ultimate F1 showed 13% higher flexibility and 75% higher cyclic fatigue resistance than ProTaper Gold® F1.
›  Gold heat-treated. Post-grinding, like the Shaper, F2 and F3.

Where it sits in Dentsply Sirona’s sequence

1  After Shaper and reconfirmed length. “Select the FINISHER F1 (020.007v) and passively follow the canal to the WL, in one or more passes” (step 10).

2  Inspect the apical flutes. “When loaded with dentinal debris, the preparation is finished.”

3  Loose and clean? F2. If F1 is loose at length and its apical flutes are not loaded with debris, move to F2 in the same way (step 11).

Paraphrased and quoted from the Dentsply Sirona, ProTaper Ultimate™ step-by-step procedure. Your clinical judgement governs the case; the instructions for use govern the file.

Where the figures come from. Dentsply Sirona laboratory data on file (test 21/039), Ultimate F1 against ProTaper Gold® F1. Not a published study.

Questions we get asked

How do I know F1 is enough?
Dentsply Sirona’s test is in the file: apical flutes loaded with dentine at length means finished; loose and clean means go to F2. The matched cone should then fit at working length.

Which cone and point go with it?
The F1 ones. Dentsply Sirona match both to the colour and size of the last file used. Finish on F1, fill with F1.

Which motor?
400 rpm and 4–5.2 Ncm for every file in the range. Dentsply Sirona list a ProTaper Ultimate™ library among the X-Smart® Go’s presets; on the X-Smart® Pro+ it is set as a custom sequence, and on the VDW.SILVER® in a Dr’s Choice slot (VDW manual: up to 4.1 Ncm). All three are linked below.

When do I throw it away?
Dentsply Sirona’s procedure: inspect the flutes on every removal, and if you see unwinding, straightening or stretching, discard it and use a new file.

Complete the case

ProTaper Ultimate™ F1, 31 mm (6) · 020.007v · Gold heat treatment · NiTi rotary · 400 rpm, 4–5.2 Ncm · Dentsply Sirona · REF BSTPULR6310F1