Tungsten carbide dental burs can be used to cut or polish a wide variety of materials encountered in dentistry. These include tooth material such as enamel, dentine and bone, dental materials such as amalgam, composite, glass-ionomer cements, polymer and ceramic veneers and precious and not-precious alloys. The bur pattern will be selected to cut a specific material in a specific application and the following table gives guidance on selection.
Used burs should be considered as contaminated and appropriate handling precautions should be taken during reprocessing. Gloves, eye protection and a mask should be worn. Other measures may be required if there are specific infection or cross-contamination risks from the patient.
With the exception of steel burs, which are single use devices, reprocessing will have little effect on dental burs. The end of life is determined by wear and damage in use and the burs should be inspected for defects during the preliminary cleaning process.
Tungsten Carbide Dental Burs Used Safety Notes
Eye protection must be worn to protect against ejected particles.
Surgical mask must be worn to avoid inhalation of aerosol or dust generated.
Inspect the bur for broken flutes before each use and discard defective burs.
