Types of Burs in Dentistry
Table of Contents
What Are Dental Burs?
Dental burs are small cutting tools. Dentists use them in many ways. They help fix teeth and make them look nice. A bur is like a tiny drill bit. It spins fast to cut or shape tooth parts.
Think of burs as the most important tools a dentist uses every day. The right bur helps the dentist work well. It makes the work go fast. It also makes the patient feel better.
How Dental Burs Are Grouped
ISO 1797 Standard
Burs have a special code. This code has 15 numbers and letters. It tells you about the bur:
- What it is made of
- The shape
- How rough it is
- What type of stem it has
The ISO code uses colors to show how rough a bur is:
- Red means very rough
- Blue means medium rough
- Yellow means not very rough
By What They Are Made Of
Burs can be made from three main things:
- Carbide burs – Strong and can be used many times
- Diamond burs – Have tiny diamond bits on them
- Steel burs – Not as strong but good for soft things
By What They Do
Burs do different jobs:
- Some cut tooth parts
- Some make teeth smooth
- Some make teeth shiny
- Some are for surgery
- Some are for special jobs
Types of Dental Burs
1. Carbide Burs
Carbide burs are very strong. Dentists use them a lot. They can:
- Fix cavities
- Take off old fillings
- Fix crowns that don’t fit right
Good things about carbide burs:
- They last a long time
- They can be used again
- They make teeth very smooth
2. Diamond Burs
Diamond burs have tiny diamond bits stuck to them. They are good for:
- Cutting the hard outside of teeth
- Fixing ceramic teeth parts
They come in many rough levels:
- Very rough – for fast cutting
- Not rough – for making teeth smooth and pretty
3. Steel Burs
Steel burs are not as hard as other burs. They work best on soft things like:
- Fake teeth parts
- Custom trays for teeth
Steel burs don’t work well on real teeth. They get dull fast.
4. Surgical Burs
Surgical burs are made for cutting bone. They help with:
- Implants for fake teeth
- Fixing jaw bone shape
These burs must be very clean and sharp.
5. Finishing and Polishing Burs
These burs make teeth look nice. They:
- Make teeth smooth
- Make teeth shiny
- Fix rough spots
Burs for Different Dental Jobs
For Fixing Teeth
When fixing cavities or putting in fillings, dentists use many burs:
| Job | Bur Type | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|---|
| Take out decay | Round carbide | Gets all the bad parts |
| Shape the hole | Fissure bur | Makes clean edges |
| Make tooth smooth | Diamond finishing | No rough spots |
For Root Canals
When fixing the inside of teeth, dentists need special burs for making holes in teeth. The Endo-Z bur is made just for this job.
For Fake Teeth Work
When working on dentures or other fake teeth, dentists use steel burs. These work well with dental lab work on removable parts.
For Surgery
Dental surgeons use special burs for:
- Putting in implants
- Fixing jaw bone
- Taking out wisdom teeth
For Clean Teeth
Dentists use smooth burs to:
- Fix sharp edges
- Make teeth feel nice and smooth
How to Pick the Right Bur
Picking the right bur means thinking about:
- What job you need to do
- What part you’re working on
- What tool you put the bur in
- How rough you need the bur to be
Tips for reading bur codes:
- Look at the ISO number
- Check what color it is
- See what shape it has
Using Burs the Right Way
Cleaning Burs
Clean burs are very important. Dentists must:
- Clean burs after each use
- Use special cleaning tools
- Make sure burs are very hot to kill germs
One-time Use
Some burs are used once and then thrown away. This helps:
- Keep things clean
- Stop germs from going to other patients
Making Burs Last Longer
To make burs work well for a long time:
- Keep them in a safe place
- Don’t let them get too hot when using them
- Use the right speed
New Kinds of Burs
Special Material Burs
New burs are made to work with new tooth materials:
- Bioceramic burs for special fillings
- Zirconia burs for strong fake teeth parts
One-time Use Burs
More dentists now use burs once and throw them away. This:
- Keeps things very clean
- Stops infection
- Saves time on cleaning
Better Shaped Burs
New burs are made to be easy to hold. This:
- Makes hands less tired
- Helps dentists work better
- Makes work go faster
Common Questions About Dental Burs
“What’s different about carbide and diamond burs?”
Carbide burs cut with sharp edges. Diamond burs scratch with rough surfaces. Carbide is better for soft things. Diamond is better for hard things.
“How do I read the code on a bur package?”
Look for the ISO code. The numbers tell you:
First part: what it’s made of
Middle: the shape
End: how rough it is
“Can surgical burs be used again?”
Most surgical burs should be used one time only. This is safest for patients.
Main Points to Remember
- Dental burs come in many types, shapes, and materials
- The right bur makes dental work better and faster
- Carbide, diamond, and steel burs all do different jobs
- Burs must be very clean to be safe
- New burs keep making dental work better
Working with dental crowns and bridges or ceramic dental work needs just the right burs. When dentists pick the best tools, they make teeth look and work better.
