# ProTaper Gold vs ProTaper Ultimate Dentsply Sirona [TR](https://endo-guide.app/tr/compare/protaper-gold-vs-protaper-ultimate) ## ProTaper Gold® Dentsply Sirona The Gold Standard [View protocol →](https://endo-guide.app/system/protaper-gold) ## ProTaper Ultimate™ Dentsply Sirona The Ultimate Evolution [View protocol →](https://endo-guide.app/system/protaper-ultimate) Clinical Tip ProTaper Gold for graduated multi-file shaping in complex anatomy. ProTaper Ultimate for a 5th-gen K-file-free workflow in severely curved canals. RCT evidence is mixed—one trial found less postoperative pain and greater bacterial reduction with Gold (PMID 41882642), another equivalent pain (PMID 41211526); a 2026 micro-CT found comparable shaping in moderate curves. ## When to choose which Choose ProTaper Gold when - the canal is routine or moderately curved and the six-file graduated sequence at 300 rpm is already your habit - postoperative comfort in necrotic teeth weighs on the plan: the one trial in necrotic premolars reported lower pain scores and less analgesic use with Gold (PMID 41882642) - you plan to remove an epoxy-resin filling with the finishing files: Gold cleared AH Plus faster in one ex vivo study (PMID 42296409) Choose ProTaper Ultimate when - you want a K-file-free glide path: the Slider replaces the hand file in canals it can reach, with a #10 K-file kept as the fallback - the case is a severe curvature and bench fatigue life matters to you: the Ultimate F2 outlasted the Gold F2 in two fatigue studies (PMID 39407799, PMID 38667542) - you retreat a bioceramic-sealed canal: Ultimate left less TotalFill residue than Gold (PMID 42296409), partly because its finishers carry a larger taper ## What the comparative evidence shows 7 comparative full-text studies read for this pair Seven comparative full texts were read for this pair: two randomised trials, one micro-CT shaping study, one debris-extrusion study, one retreatment study and two cyclic-fatigue studies. Both systems share the ProTaper sequence logic and variable taper; what differs is the cross-section (convex triangle for Gold, off-centred parallelogram for Ultimate), the motor settings (300 rpm with file-specific torque for Gold, 400 rpm at 4.0 to 5.2 Ncm for Ultimate) and the Slider-first glide path of Ultimate. The two clinical trials do not agree on pain. In 40 mandibular first molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis, single-visit treatment with either system gave the same pain scores at 24 h, 72 h and 7 days, and both groups reached zero at one week (PMID 41211526). In 56 necrotic maxillary premolars with a normal periapex, Ultimate produced higher pain scores immediately and at 12, 24 and 48 h, and 42.9 % of that group took an analgesic against 17.9 % with Gold; the same trial measured a smaller bacterial reduction after instrumentation with Ultimate, though after sodium hypochlorite both systems exceeded 96 % and no longer differed (PMID 41882642). The authors of the second trial point out that speed, torque and first-file size differ between the systems, so the cross-section cannot be isolated as the cause. On shaping, a micro-CT study of 30 mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first molars with 10 to 20 degrees of curvature found no difference between Gold and Ultimate in canal volume increase, transportation or centring at any level; Ultimate left thinner dentin on the mesial furcation wall of MB1 at one level (1.32 mm against 1.55 mm), and every group kept more than 0.3 mm (PMID 41934543). In that study MB2 negotiation failed four times with Gold and three times with Ultimate, and two Gold files separated against one Ultimate file, numbers the authors describe as too small to rank the systems. Ultimate extruded less debris through the apex than Gold in 30 curved mesiobuccal canals prepared at 350 rpm and 2.5 Ncm with distilled water (2.35 mg against 3.25 mg) (PMID 40145483). Whether that laboratory difference reaches the patient is exactly what the two trials above leave open. On fatigue, the Ultimate F2 survived longer than the Gold F2 in a 90-degree steel canal, while neither fractured within 15 minutes at 60 degrees (PMID 39407799); a second study found the same ranking in a 70-degree canal in both continuous rotation and forward reciprocation, with all files run at 400 rpm and 4 Ncm rather than at each system's own settings (PMID 38667542). Neither study reports torsional strength, and neither was run at body temperature. In retreatment with the finishing files only, Gold removed AH Plus faster (86.59 s against 109.22 s) with the same residue, while Ultimate left less TotalFill residue (4.43 % against 7.99 %) in the same time; no file fractured, and the authors flag the larger Ultimate finishing taper as a confounder (PMID 42296409). ## Head to head | Axis | ProTaper Gold | ProTaper Ultimate | What the studies show | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Cyclic fatigue (bench) | Gold F2 fractured first in a 90° canal; no fracture at 60° in 15 min | Ultimate F2 outlasted Gold F2 at 90° and at 70° in both kinematics | Two studies, 25/.08 files only, room temperature, one of them at Ultimate's motor settings for both (PMID 39407799, PMID 38667542) | | Transportation and centring | No difference from Ultimate at any level | No difference from Gold at any level | Micro-CT, maxillary MB canals, 10–20° curvature, n = 10 per group (PMID 41934543) | | Dentin preservation | Thicker mesial furcation dentin at one MB1 level (1.55 mm) | Thinner at that level (1.32 mm); all groups above 0.3 mm | Localised finding; the finishing tapers of Ultimate (10–12 %) exceed Gold's (5–7 %) and drive its retreatment result (PMID 41934543, PMID 42296409) | | Postoperative pain and debris | Equal pain in symptomatic molars; lower pain and analgesic use in necrotic premolars | Equal pain in symptomatic molars; higher pain in necrotic premolars despite less bench extrusion | Two RCTs with different diagnoses and follow-ups (PMID 41211526, PMID 41882642); extrusion 2.35 vs 3.25 mg ex vivo (PMID 40145483) | ## Frequently asked 01 Is ProTaper Ultimate more fatigue resistant than ProTaper Gold? Answer In the two bench studies read for this page the Ultimate F2 survived longer than the Gold F2 in severely curved steel canals (PMID 39407799, PMID 38667542). - 01 Both are heat-treated files, one study ran Gold at Ultimate's 400 rpm rather than its own 300 rpm, and neither was performed at body temperature, so the margin in a real canal is not established. 02 Which system causes less postoperative pain? Answer The evidence is split. - 01 Pain was the same in symptomatic mandibular molars treated in one visit (PMID 41211526), while necrotic maxillary premolars reported more pain and more analgesic use after Ultimate (PMID 41882642). - 02 The two trials differ in diagnosis, tooth and follow-up window, so neither result generalises to the other setting. 03 What are the motor settings side by side? Answer ProTaper Gold runs at 300 rpm with torque by file: 5 to 6 Ncm for SX and S1, 1. - 01 5 to 2 Ncm for S2 and F1, 3 to 4 Ncm for F2 to F5 according to the current EUR IFU. - 02 ProTaper Ultimate runs at 400 rpm and 4. - 03 0 to 5. - 04 2 Ncm across the sequence. - 05 The full protocol pages list both. 04 Which is better for retreatment? Answer It depends on the sealer. - 01 With finishing files only, Gold cleared AH Plus faster and Ultimate left less bioceramic residue; neither system removed everything, and Ultimate's larger finishing taper is part of its advantage (PMID 42296409). 05 Can I skip the hand file with ProTaper Ultimate? Answer The IFU lets the Slider create the glide path in canals it can reach to working length; if it cannot, a #10 K-file comes first. - 01 ProTaper Gold's IFU asks for a glide path of at least ISO 015 before the rotary sequence. ## References 1. Hajwel M, Elemam R, Elsewify T, et al. Effect of ProTaper Ultimate and ProTaper Gold on postoperative pain in mandibular first molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis: a randomized control clinical trial. Pain Res Manag. 2025. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41211526/) 2. Abed KH, Hashem AAR, Lutfy RA, et al. Effect of different rotary instrument designs (ProTaper Ultimate and ProTaper Gold) on postoperative pain and bacterial reduction: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Oral Health. 2026. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41882642/) 3. Yılmaz ÖS, Keskin C, Keleş A, et al. Shaping ability of ProTaper Ultimate, ProTaper Gold, and Reciproc Blue in the mesiobuccal canals of maxillary first molars: a micro-computed tomography study. Odontology. 2026. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41934543/) 4. Alhayki MM, Eid B, Elemam R, et al. Evaluation of apically extruded debris during root canal preparation using ProTaper Ultimate and ProTaper Gold: an ex vivo study. Eur Endod J. 2025. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40145483/) 5. Greco K, Paolone G, Cicero G, et al. Cyclic fatigue resistance of four heat-treated nickel-titanium files in severely curved simulated canals: an in vitro study. J Clin Med. 2024. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39407799/) 6. Diaconu CT, Diaconu AE, Tuculina MJ, et al. Assessment of the cyclic fatigue performance of the novel ProTaper Ultimate file system used in different kinematics: an in vitro study. J Funct Biomater. 2024. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38667542/) 7. Rashid M, Eid B, Elemam R, et al. Comparison of the efficiency of ProTaper Ultimate and ProTaper Gold files in the retreatability of bioceramic and epoxy resin sealers: an ex vivo study. Eur Endod J. 2026. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42296409/) ## Specifications | — | ProTaper Gold | ProTaper Ultimate | | --- | --- | --- | | Manufacturer | Dentsply Sirona | Dentsply Sirona | | Alloy | Gold Heat-Treated NiTi | M-Wire / Gold / Blue Heat-Treated NiTi | | Heat Treatment | Gold Heat-Treated | Gold Heat-Treated | | Motion | Continuous Rotation | Continuous Rotation | | Files | 8 | 8 | | Taper | Variable | Variable | | Cross-section | Convex triangular, Concave triangular | Parallelogram (variable acute angles, off-centered) | | Speed | 300 RPM | 400 RPM | | Torque | 1.5–5 Ncm | 4 Ncm | | Use Type | Reusable (limited) | Single-use | ## Best For ProTaper Gold versatile multi-file sequence complex anatomy graduated shaping ProTaper Ultimate 5th generation ProTaper evolution K-file free workflow complex anatomy with manual fallback for severe curves ## Key Features ProTaper Gold Variable taper design with progressive engagement ProTaper Ultimate Slider-Shaper-Finishers concept with dual heat treatments: Gold for standard sequence, Blue for auxiliary finishers in large canals [ProTaper Gold Full protocol](https://endo-guide.app/system/protaper-gold)[ProTaper Ultimate Full protocol](https://endo-guide.app/system/protaper-ultimate) ## Related Clinical Links Manufacturer pages [Dentsply Sirona Systems](https://endo-guide.app/manufacturer/dentsply-sirona) Motion categories [Continuous Rotation](https://endo-guide.app/category/continuous-rotation) Related comparisons [ProTaper Gold vs ProTaper Next](https://endo-guide.app/compare/protaper-gold-vs-protaper-next)[ProTaper Gold vs TruNatomy](https://endo-guide.app/compare/protaper-gold-vs-trunatomy)[ProTaper Gold vs Vortex Blue](https://endo-guide.app/compare/protaper-gold-vs-vortex-blue)[ProTaper Ultimate vs ProTaper Next](https://endo-guide.app/compare/protaper-next-vs-protaper-ultimate)[ProTaper Ultimate vs TruNatomy](https://endo-guide.app/compare/protaper-ultimate-vs-trunatomy)[ProTaper Ultimate vs WaveOne Gold](https://endo-guide.app/compare/protaper-ultimate-vs-waveone-gold) Independent educational reference. Always consult official manufacturer Instructions for Use (DFU) before clinical procedures. [Found an error? Let us know](https://ig.me/m/endoleventyuksel) ![Uzm. Dt. Levent Yüksel](https://endo-guide.app/images/levent-yuksel.jpg) Reviewed by Uzm. Dt. Levent Yüksel DDS · Endodontist Endodontist — DDS, Hacettepe University; endodontics specialty training, Ankara University. 10+ years of clinical experience. Sole author and reviewer of EndoGuide content. [About the author](https://endo-guide.app/about)[Editorial policy](https://endo-guide.app/editorial-policy)[Clinical profile](https://drleventyuksel.com/) Powered by:[Uzm. Dt. Levent Yüksel](https://www.instagram.com/endoleventyuksel/) [@endoguideapp](https://www.instagram.com/endoguideapp/) Independent educational resource. 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