As we all know, dental burs are vital dental equipment for dentists. Without them, dentists would be unable to perform most dental procedures. Dental carbide bursand dental diamond burs are both the most important dental burs as they are both known for their excellent cutting capabilities and durability. Although they perform equally well in dental procedures, they are completely different dental burs. In this article, we’ll guide you through their differences.
Dental carbide burs are composed of tungsten carbide or carbide steel and are cutting tools used to shape and remove material in dental applications. Well, dental laboratory tungsten carbide burs and stainless steel burs are both representatives of carbide burs.
What is A Dental Diamond Bur?
Dental diamond burs are made from diamond grit, so they are a great dental tool for grinding hard tissue with high precision. And, due to the natural properties of diamond grit, the grind produced by diamond burs is precise and fine.
What are the Applications of Carbide Burs?
Dental carbide burs are stronger than steel, making them the best material for drilling and cutting. Well, carbide burs can be of great help in dentistry. The following are the main applications of carbide burs:
● Dental crown production: Dental crowns are artificial restorations used to repair diseased or damaged teeth. Carbide burs are precision turned and machined on a numerically controlled (CNC) lathe to produce highly precise crowns that fit the shape and occlusion of the patient's teeth.
●Dental bridge production: A dental bridge is a restoration used to replace missing teeth. It usually consists of multiple artificial crowns. Carbide burs are used to turn and finely machine the individual crowns on the bridge to ensure their fit and stability.
●Alveolar bone repair: In dental implant surgery, carbide burs are used to make implants, which are fixed on the patient's jaw to support the base of artificial teeth.
●Dental tool manufacturing: Dental carbide burs are also used to manufacture some dental surgical tools, such as alveolar osteoplaners, cutting instruments, etc., to meet different treatment needs.
●Denture production: Carbide burs are used to make the denture base to ensure the stability and comfort of the denture. These bases often require high-precision turning and machining to fit the structure of the patient's mouth.
●Dental restoration grinding: Dental carbide burs are also used for subsequent grinding of restorations to ensure the smoothness and fit of their surfaces.
What are the Applications of Diamond Turning Needles?
As for diamond bur applications, dental diamond burs are often used for polishing work to obtain a smooth and uniform surface. The following are the main applications in dentistry:
●Tooth restoration production: Diamond burs can be used to process high-hardness materials, such as ceramics or zirconia, to make dental crowns, bridges and other restorations. Its high hardness and wear resistance enable precise and efficient cutting work.
●Alveolar bone cutting: In dental implant surgery, diamond burs are used to cut and shape the patient's jawbone to provide an appropriate bone bed for implant placement.
●Dental surgery: Diamond burs can be used to perform some dental surgeries, such as cutting and trimming tooth tissue in root canal treatment, to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of the surgery.
●Surface processing of restorations: Diamond burs can also be used for surface processing of restorations, including precision grinding and polishing of the surface to improve the finish and adaptability of the restoration.
●Alveolar bone grinding: During the process of implanting dentures, diamond burs are used for minimally invasive grinding of the alveolar bone to adapt to the implanted dentures.
●Dental laboratory applications: Diamond burs are also widely used in dental laboratories for processing and engraving tooth models, denture bases and other dental laboratory products.
Carbide Burs VS Diamond Burs: What are the Differences?
Accuracy: In terms of accuracy, diamond bur grinding is better than carbide bur cutting. With a diamond bur, there is also less chance of affecting the pulpal area inside the tooth.
Durability: Diamond and WC are both extremely strong materials. However, carbide burs are more durable and tend to have a longer life cycle. They are also more resistant to heat.
Surface: If you want a smooth tooth surface, then you should use a carbide bur. In contrast, diamond bur grinding creates a rough and rugged environment.
Zirconia Cutting Burs: Cutting and removing zirconia crowns can be quite difficult. Diamond burs have high-speed grinding capabilities and are better suited to the job than carbide burs. The same goes for cutting ceramic crowns.
When Should Each Needle be Used?
The answer to this question is very subjective. Each dentist has his or her personal preferences and list of best practices. That said, most experienced dentists agree that there are situations where diamond burs are better than carbide burs and vice versa.
Diamond burs in dentistry are often considered excellent tools for precision cutting of tooth enamel and ceramics, especially during certain procedures involving the removal or installation of dental crowns. Generally speaking, diamond burs are preferred over carbide burs when dental procedures require ultra-precision cutting.
Carbide burs also have their advantages. They are more effective against cavities and filling procedures and are more durable in the long run. Many dentists also prefer them because they leave a smooth, clean surface.
So, should you use diamond burs or carbide burs? It depends on what you do at the clinic and your level of expertise. It’s best to familiarize yourself with both bur types to know which bur is best for you. It's also a good idea to consult with other dentists and learn about their preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, there is a big difference between carbide burs and diamond burs. They each have very unique advantages. Therefore, many dental offices use carbide burs and diamond burs interchangeably depending on the situation. It’s always a good idea to have many high-quality kits available. If you are interested in learning more about dental bur types, click to read our guide.
At OVO we sell carbide burs and diamond burs. We pride ourselves on high-quality products that offer great value for money. If there's anything we can say firmly, it's that we don't recommend compromising on product quality. If you're looking to buy burs for your practice, you've come to the right place.
Not sure what exactly you need? Leave us a message and we will respond as soon as possible. We are happy to recommend a bur that will benefit you and your patient.