Ultradent UniCore
Post and Drill System
UniCore’s versatile drills and exceptionally strong fiber posts maximize treatment and re-treatment efficiency.
Ultradent’s UniCore post and drill system combines superior post strength with drill versatility, providing an efficient and practical alternative to metal post and drill systems. The system features translucent, radiopaque fiber posts with life-like dentin properties and a patented, multifunctional drill. The drill can be used up to 15 times to remove Thermafil, gutta percha, or composite; or up to 5 times to remove pre-existing fiber posts for retreatment.
A diamond-coated collar eliminates excessive heat production while eliminating binding in open access openings and a patented heat-generating tip softens fiber post matrices to simplify removal for retreatment. Specially designed flutes cut only the sides of the canal, eliminating zipping and stripping of the post chamber wall.
The posts and drills, each uniquely designed to work in harmony and match the corresponding pieces, are available in 4 sizes, are color-coded, and are packaged together by size in spill-proof modules that enable autoclaving in the original packaging.
Thirteen dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper review of UniCore, rating such features as ease of removing material from the canal, elimination of stripping, and post flexibility.
Ease of Use (Removing Material from Canals)
According to Ultradent , no other drill is as aggressive and efficient as UniCore at removing obturators while also preparing a chamber that’s perfectly suited to a corresponding post. Ease of removing material from canals was rated by 12 of the 13 dentists who evaluated UniCore; 3 rated it as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, and 3 rated it as good. One dentist, an Oakland Gardens, NY, practitioner with 32 years of experience, always uses a step procedure when removing root canal filling material (starting with smaller drills and ending with the manufacturer's drill). This evaluator said, “I haven’t needed to remove a cemented UniCore post yet.” A Paramus, NJ dentist in practice for 26 years noted that “the burs track but need to be more efficient in preparing the post preparation,” adding that they “track very slowly but track true” when removing posts for re-treatment. Another evaluator called the prep drill “easy to use and quick-cutting.”
Color-coding, rated as excellent by 8 evaluators and as very good to good by 5, was described by 1 evaluator as “a very good idea. It keeps it simple and eliminates fumbling for components.” A Leetonia, OH dentist pointed out that both the directions and colors “held up through sterilization,” which another dentist described as “very simple.”
Elimination of Stripping and Excessive Heat
When asked about lack of stripping of the post chamber wall, 4 evaluators rated it as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, and 3 rated it as good. One dentist reported “no problems in this area” and another said the drill “cut accurately to size with no zipping noted.”
Elimination of excessive heat with UniCore was evaluated by 10 dentists; 2 rated it as excellent and 8 rated it as very good or good. One evaluator reported “no problem during preparation,” another reported “no particular notice of heat,” and an Ohio dentist said, “The post drill was sharp and didn’t drag to create heat.”Post Flexibility
When asked to evaluate UniCore post flexibility, 6 dentists rated it as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, and 1 rated it as fair. One dentist in practice for 27 years reported “no fracture of the core or tooth throughout the study,” and the Paramus, NJ dentist said the posts “displayed enough rigidity for support of core material.”
Overall Satisfaction
The evaluators were asked if they would recommend Ultradent’s UniCore to colleagues; 9 said definitely and 4 said probably. Overall satisfaction with UniCore was rated as excellent by 5 evaluators, as very good by 7, and as good by 1.
