ProTaper Ultimate™ FX, 31mm (6)

ProTaper Ultimate™ · FX · 31 mm

Larger canalsStraighter canalsMaxillary centralsPalatal and distal roots

FX at 31 mm, for large straight canals in long roots

A maxillary central incisor, some palatal or distal molar canals, a pathologic or iatrogenic defect. Those are Dentsply Sirona’s own examples of the larger, straighter canals the standard Finishers are not written for. They get a separate, shorter sequence: Slider, then FX, then FXL if it is needed. 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.

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

What this file does

›  Where Dentsply Sirona say to use it. “in larger and straighter canals only, such as maxillary central incisors, some palatal or distal canals of molars, or when there is a pathologic or iatrogenic defect”.
›  Blue, not gold. FX and FXL are the only files in the range with Dentsply Sirona’s blue heat treatment.
›  Rotary or by hand, in the same step. Their procedure names either a mechanically driven or a manual FX, so the hand version is a like-for-like alternative.

Where it sits in Dentsply Sirona’s sequence

1  Slider first, as usual. Follow steps 1 to 6 of the standard procedure – Slider to length, patency, irrigation.

2  Then FX to length. Once working length is established and patency confirmed, passively follow the canal to length in one or more passes and inspect the apical flutes. Loaded with debris: finished.

3  Loose and clean? FXL. Use the FXL the same way. Then disinfect, dry and fill as the standard sequence (steps 16–20).

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.

Questions we get asked

Can I use FX in a curved molar canal?
Dentsply Sirona limit FX and FXL to larger and straighter canals, and give their examples. A curved canal belongs to the standard sequence.

Does it replace the Shaper?
In their larger-canal sequence, yes – it is Slider, then FX. No Shaper, no F1 to F3.

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™ FX, 31 mm (6) · 035.012v · Blue heat treatment · NiTi rotary · 400 rpm, 4–5.2 Ncm · Dentsply Sirona · REF BSTPULR6310FX