Dental burs are undoubtedly among the most important pieces of equipment for those working in the field of dentistry. Before placing cavity and crown fillings, dental burs are used to remove damaging plaque and chip away at the enamel.
Science and technology have advanced the common bur to new heights, today embracing an immense range of alternatives to offer a variety of dental operations. For a variety of uses, dental burs are offered in a wide range of styles and dimensions. Dental burs are made of stainless steel, steel, dental diamond burs, and tungsten carbide, and are extremely strong and durable.
In this article, we’ll look at the key elements that distinguish the various dental bur types and explain their significance.
Dental burs: What Are They?
Dental Burrs are cutting tools used in dentistry. The rotary tools are used to cut hard tissues such as dental enamel or bone and are available in a variety of forms, sizes, and grits. They have two or more sharp-edge blades and numerous cutting edges. The shape eliminates tiresome dental materials like cementum, dentin, and enamel. Dentists use them often to treat patients and they are a standard device in dental offices.
In the past, dental burs are used as basic cutting instruments in the preparation of tooth restoration. Now, dentistry burs come in a wide variety of varieties, each with unique components.
Each bur is divided into three sections: the head, the neck, and the shank.
- Head: The rotating blade used to cut tissue.
- Neck: The neck is attached to the head, and contains a cutting blade or the bur.
- Shank: Longest component of bur that has different ends that attach with different handpieces.
What Are the Different Kinds of Bur Shanks?
A bur shank’s measurement relates to the diameter of its shank or body. A large shank is best for heavy-duty work, while a small shank is best for delicate tasks. Some burs feature changeable shanks that may be adjusted depending on the kind of work.
- Straight Shank/ Hand Piece shanks (HP): Occasionally used by dentists who do traditional dentistry, such as filling cavities and placing crowns on teeth. They are used at lower rotational speeds.
- Friction grip (FG): Employed in high-speed situations,
- Right Angle Shank: Often used for low and medium speed, as well as contra-angle handpieces used to treat locations that require a “bend” to reach.
Dental bur: Material
Dental burs are created from a variety of materials, each with its own set of advantages.
Diamond Burs
Diamond burs are well-known for their accuracy and grinding strength. They’re made from diamond grit. These characteristics make them perfect for grinding through tooth enamel and ceramics without causing injury to the inner pulp tissue.
Carbide Burs
Another popular alternative is carbide burs. These burs, made of an exceptionally powerful substance known as tungsten carbide, are often used to cut enamel in dental procedures such as cavity-filling applications and dental surgery.
Steel Burs
These burs are made from Stainless steel and tend to be more affordable for dentists because of their substance, but they wear out more quickly. Additionally, they are more prone to rusting. However, steel burs are less likely to break since they are more flexible than diamond and carbide burs.
Gold Burs
Finally, there are gold burs, which are manufactured specifically for grinding teeth precisely and have a longer lifespan. Gold-plated burs are extremely effective despite being less prevalent; they maintain a lower working temperature and also offer a good surface finishing.
Dental Bur: Shapes
The dental bur’s form also has a significant impact on how it works. The dental bur head’s form is significant because it makes direct contact with the ceramic or enamel of the teeth.
Many dental bur types are available, and each one is utilized by a particular patient’s needs and course of treatment.
- Round or Pear Shaped Burs: Used in cavity fillings.
- Inverted Cone Shape Burs: which is typically used for cutting operations that call for greater force.
- Finishing Burs: Distinct bur-shape category that comes in a variety of forms and is used for more delicate treatments.
Things to Consider Before Buying Dental Burs
It’s recommended to consider these factors when buying dental burs. Make sure your dental burs are produced in compliance with ISO standards using high-quality materials. This will guarantee their longevity and enable you to offer top-notch care to your patients.
Flexibility is another important factor. A large dental bur “toolkit” is strongly advised to provide the best accuracy for a variety of patient demands. This selection needs to contain both carbide and diamond burs, as well as a wide range of shank and head shapes with various grit sizes.