The Ultimate Guide
- What are dentistry burs & what are they used for?
- What are the different types of dentistry burs?
- What dental burs do we stock & distribute at J&S Davis?
What Are Dentistry Burs, And What Are They Used For?
Dental burs are handpiece attachments that enable dental professionals to carry out a range of cutting, polishing and finishing procedures. They are typically used for hard tissues, but the type of dental bur used is massively dependent on the exact treatment or procedure. They are made up of 3 distinct parts: the head, which contains the blades that rotate to cut through tissue; the shank, which is inserted into the handpiece; and the neck, which connects these two parts together. Burs vary in design, with the shape of the head and the angle and positioning of the blades determining the bur’s use.
What Are The Different Types Of Dental Burs?
Throughout the dental industry, there are three main types of burs, which have a variety of surgical, preparatory, finishing and endodontic purposes. These are:
Tungsten Carbide Burs:
Around three times stronger than their steel alternatives, tungsten carbide burs are not only known for their strength and durability but also for their master precision. This particular alloy allows the dental professional to smooth down tooth structures accurately, ensuring optimal results. Typically, tungsten carbide burs are used for trimming and finishing composite restorations. They often only have carbide in the tip, as the alloy is brittle in comparison to steel, so often, the shank will be made of steel to ensure longevity and durability. The only downside is that tungsten carbide burs do have a steeper price point, but they make up for this with their long lifespan and low noise and debris build-up properties during procedures.
Steel Burs:
Steel burs are often chosen as the go-to bur for their flexibility and durability. They are used primarily for cavity prevention and removing dentin. The alloy allows them expert edge retention and optimal resistance against chipping. However, they do blunt and corrode faster than their alternatives, but their low price point balances this out.
Diamond Burs:
Loved by dentists globally, the newer innovation of diamond dental burs has allowed for game-changing results. They are typically used alongside high-speed handpieces to grind away hard tissues such as bone and enamel, enabling a rough, uneven surface to be left behind. This is essential when preparing teeth for subsequent procedures. They are composed by bonding small diamond particles onto a substrate, guaranteeing unmatched strength and durability. Diamond dental burs are primarily used to reduce tooth structure, making them ideal for veneer and crown-related dental procedures. They offer industry-leading accuracy and precision but require repeated sterilisation, which does reduce their lifespan by decreasing their cutting effectiveness.
What Dental Burs Do We Stock And Distribute At J&S Davis?
At J&S Davis, we stock and distribute a wide range of Meisinger’s expert dental burs. Designed by the best, their dental burs offer optimal precision, longevity, and results. We stock everything from tungsten carbide, steel, and diamond burs to acrylic trimmers, as well as burs suited for surgical, endodontic, preparation, and finishing procedures. Dental bur kits are also available to ensure you have everything you need! You can view our entire available range of Meisinger dental burs here. If you have any questions or queries on which are right for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to help!
For more information on the different types of dentistry burs or on the dental burs we stock and distribute at J&S Davis, please click here to contact us or call our team of experts on 01438 747344.