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Ultrapak™ is a 100% cotton, gingival retraction cord knitted into thousands of tiny interlocking loops that exert a gentle continuous outward force following placement.
Ultrapak’s proprietary knitted cord design is better than braided or twisted cord for packing into the sulcus, absorbing fluids, and expanding for adequate retraction. Other features and benefits include:
- Packs effortlessly into the sulcus
- Compresses upon packing then expands for optimal retraction
- 100% cotton provides high absorption of hemostatic agents and sulcular fluids
- Optimal tissue displacement occurs in 1–3 minutes
- Available in cords as small as size #000 and as large as size #3, making Ultrapak suitable for any clinical situation
- Each bottle contains 8 feet of cord
Indications for Use
Ultrapak cord is used for rapid tissue displacement prior to impression making and can also be used to deliver ferric sulfate solutions subgingivally for sulcular fluid control.
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PREPACK. To ensure cord retention during preparation, use a cord large enough to firmly compress into sulcus. Open proximal contacts and place Ultrapak knitted cord soaked in hemostatic solution. Because Ultrapak compresses upon packing, use a cord size that appears too large. The thin Ultrapak Packer quickly slips cord into position. The knitted cord's unique design (interlocking loops) facilitates easy packing and locks it into place.
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PREPARATION. Extend margin subgingivally by cutting partway into knitted cord, which won't entangle in the diamond bur. Remove remnant of cord with calcium hydroxide applicator (tiny ball end). Bleeding is minimal. A small portion of uncut tooth above the gingival attachment is preserved to record in the impression.
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HEMOSTASIS AND IMPRESSION. Rub the Dento-Infusor tip against bleeding tissue as solution is slowly expressed. Rinse with a firm air/water spray to clean and check for complete hemostasis. If bleeding is noted, repeat these steps. If additional retraction is required, repack with appropriate-size cord. Air dry and make impression.
Rapid Tissue Displacement
Ultrapak compresses upon packing then expands for optimal tissue displacement.
Ultrapak, saturated with ViscoStat, controls bleeding and sulcular fluid for near gingival and subgingival preparations.
Ultrapak CleanCut
The One with the Stripe!®
The World’s Smallest Knitted Cord
Knitting a cord small enough to fit into the sulcus was no easy task. In fact, it took 9 months to knit the first 1 inch of the size #0 cord. Once we had learned the best methods and techniques to knit Ultrapak’s microscopic loops, we learned we could make even smaller cords—all the way to size #000, the smallest knitted retraction cord in the world.
Knitted, Not Braided or Twisted
Prior to Ultrapak, all retraction cords were either twisted or braided. When the clinician tries to pack a twisted cord with a packing instrument, the instrument slips between the fibres of the cord. Braided cord eliminated that problem, but a braided cord is very rigid, which makes packing into the sulcus challenging. Knitted cords are flexible and allow for easy packing with an instrument. The microscopic compressible loops of the knitted cord afford greater interthread space than braided cord. Upon packing, the loops compress and express hemostatic astringent to underlying tissues. As loops open, a gentle, continuous outward force is exerted. A knitted cord is like a chain; it bends and stays put when packed into place.
Six Sizes
Ultrapak comes in cords as small as size #000 to as large as size #3, making Ultrapak suitable for any clinical situation. The smaller cords are ideal for pediatric cases where carious lesions have extended beyond the gumline and as the first cord in the double-cord technique. The larger cords work well as the upper cord in the double-cord technique and for areas that have thick gingival tissues that require a significant amount of force to be retracted.
#000 Black
- Use as lower cord in the double-cord technique
- Anterior teeth
- Double packing
#00 Yellow
- Preparing and cementing veneers
- Restorative procedures dealing with thin, friable tissues
#0 Purple
- Lower anteriors
- When luting near gingival and subgingival veneers
- Class III, IV, and V restorations
- Second cord for double-cord technique
#1 Blue
- Non-impregnated #1 and #2 sizes are particularly effective for tissue control and/or displacement when soaked in coagulative hemostatic solution prior to and/or after crown preparations
- Use as a protective pre-preparation cord on anteriors
#2 Green
- Upper cord for double-cord technique
- Use as a protective pre-preparation cord
#3 Red
- Areas that have fairly thick gingival tissues where a significant amount of force is required
- Upper cord for use with the double-cord technique
Ultradent’s Tissue Management system continuously sets the standard for superior control and predictability. Confidently achieve any level of hemostasis with Ultradent's line of Tissue Management products.
Dr. Dan Fischer explains the history and progression of Ultradent's Ultrapak knitted retraction cord.
"Ultrapak helps you get great impressions the first time! It is easy to pack, and when used with ViscoStat it is an unbelievable combination for a dry sulcus and a clear impression. So much detail even a patient could trim the die!"
Dr. Nick Abu Jamra – Green Bay, WI
Kit (Item number: 710130):
- 1 x #00 (yellow) cord
- 1 x #0 (purple) cord
- 1 x #1 (blue) cord
- 1 x #2 (green) cord
- 1 x Ultrapak cord organizer
Individual Refill Bottles: each bottle contains 2.44 meters (8 feet) of cord.
- #000 Black (710137)
- #00 Yellow (710136)
- #0 Purple (710131)
- #1 Blue (710132)
- #2 Green (710133)
- #3 Red (710134)
Q: How long should the cord be left in the sulcus?
A: In most cases, the knitted loops of the cord provide optimal retraction after 3–8 minutes.
Q: What length of cord should I use?
A: The length of cord will depend on the circumference of the preparation. Ultrapak’s bottle features a handy ruler on the side to help make sure you get the right length.
Q: What is the benefit of the knitted cord over braided cord?
A: Braided cords are more rigid than knitted cords, which can cause an issue when packing into the sulcus. With rigid braided cords, when one portion of the cord is packed into the sulcus, another portion of the cord is typically raised. Knitted cords are more flexible and pack easily into the sulcus.
View the Ultrapak Product Sheet.
View the Ultradent Tissue Management Decision Tree.
View the Ultrapak SDS.
View article Simple, Beautiful and Predictable Class V Restorations featuring Marc Geissberger DDS, MA.