Dental Burs: All the Types You Need to Know
What Are Dental Burs?
Burs are tools. They cut teeth. They help the dentist do their job. Burs have three parts:
- Head - This part cuts
- Neck - This is the middle part
- Shank - This part goes in the tool
Burs help make teeth look good. They must be the right kind. If not, the job will not be good. The patient will not feel good.
Dental handpieces hold the burs. The bur spins fast in the tool.
ISO Rules for Burs
Burs have codes. The codes tell us:
- What shape the bur has
- How big the bur is
- What the bur can cut
The ISO 1797-1 system gives each bur a number. Here are some shapes:
- Round burs are 004
- Pear burs are 330
- Fissure burs are 010
- Cone burs are 310
Burs have colors too:
- Red means big grit (rough)
- Yellow means medium grit
- Blue means small grit (smooth)
- Green means very small grit (very smooth)
Burs come in many sizes. They can be from 0.6mm to 2.5mm wide.
Burs Made of Different Things
Tungsten Carbide Burs
These burs are strong. They cut:
- Tooth enamel
- Fillings
- Metal
There are two kinds:
- Cross-cut burs - They make less heat
- Multi-blade burs - They make smooth cuts
Diamond Burs
These burs have tiny diamonds on them. They are good for:
- Porcelain teeth
- Zirconia teeth
- Bone
- Polishing teeth
Diamond burs come in:
- Coarse (125-150µm) - For big cuts
- Fine (15-30µm) - For small, nice cuts
70% of tooth work uses tungsten burs ^1. But 45% of dentists now like ceramic burs better for zirconia crowns.
Steel Burs
These burs cut bone. They help with:
- Implants
- Tooth pulling
Bur Shanks
The shank is the part that goes in the tool. There are three kinds:
- Friction Grip (FG) - Goes in fast tools
- Latch-Type (LA) - Goes in slow tools
- HP/RA Shank - Goes in tools for surgery
90% of fast tools use FG burs.
Burs for Different Jobs
Fixing Teeth (Restorative)
For cavities, use a #330 pear bur. For crowns, use a tapered diamond bur.
High speed handpieces work best with these burs.
Surgery
For implants, use pilot drills. For pulling teeth, use periotome burs.
Pilot drill burs make implant jobs 25% faster than old burs.
Root Canal (Endodontic)
Use these special burs:
- Gates-Glidden burs
- Peeso reamers
These burs make root canals 33% faster in back teeth.
Endo motors need these special burs.
False Teeth (Prosthodontics)
Use acrylic trimming burs for fake teeth.
How to Pick the Right Bur
Match the bur to what you need:
| If You Need To | Use This Bur | Why It's Good |
|---|---|---|
| Remove cavities | Tungsten carbide round | Cuts enamel well |
| Make a crown | Diamond tapered | Works on ceramics |
| Cut bone | Surgical steel | Strong for bone |
| Polish teeth | Fine diamond | Makes smooth finish |
Avoid these mistakes:
- Using rough burs to make things smooth
- Using the wrong shank type
- Using old burs
Taking Care of Burs
Cleaning
Burs must be clean. Put them in an autoclave. But be careful with diamond burs - the heat can hurt them.
When to Get New Burs
Get new burs when:
- The bur is dull
- The bur doesn't cut well
- The bur has been used a lot
Diamond burs lose 40% of their cutting power after 10 uses on zirconia teeth. Carbide burs can be used 15-20 times before they need to be fixed.
Saving Money on Burs
Tungsten burs cost 60% less per job than diamond burs if you use them many times. But some burs should only be used once, like surgical burs.
Heat From Burs
Burs get hot. This can hurt the tooth. Cross-cut carbide burs make 50% less heat than smooth burs. This is better for the tooth.
Questions People Ask
Can I use diamond burs more than once?
Yes. But clean them well. Don't let them get too hot.
What's different about FG and LA shanks?
FG shanks go in fast tools. LA shanks go in slow tools.
Which bur takes out old fillings fastest?
Cross-cut tungsten carbide burs take out old fillings best.
Why Burs Matter
Good burs make the dentist's job better. They help:
- Make the job faster
- Keep the tooth safe
- Make the new teeth look good
When you go to the dentist, knowing about burs helps you understand what they are doing to fix your teeth.
