From cavity prep work to fabricating crowns and bridges, cosmetic enhancements, and more - there are so many different applications for burs in dentistry. But with all this versatility comes an equal amount of variety, with tons of options for dental professionals to add to their arsenal.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of dental burs on the market, but we’re here to help simplify things for you with this guide on how to choose a right dental bur for any given use case.
You’ll feel clear and confident about which is right for any specific procedure you’re preparing for by the time you finish reading below. We’ll highlight differences in material, shape, size, grit, and more.
Just know this, though - all the different types of burs in dentistry are a click away at My DDS Supply. We’ve curated the best dental bur selection from trusted manufacturers so you can source your instruments with peace of mind knowing you’re setting yourself up for success!
How to Choose the Right Dental Bur for a Given Job
You’re going to need quite a few different dental burs in your arsenal so that you’re prepared for any patient that sits down in your operating chair.
Understanding how to choose the right one for a given job is the tricky part, though. There are a few different things you need to consider when choosing a dental bur:
- Material
- Shank and length
- Bur shape
- Grit size
- Head size
- Quality
We’ll cover all this and more below, starting with an overview of the most common materials you have at your disposal.
Different Bur Materials
There are three common materials dental burs can be made from - carbide, diamond, or ceramic. We’ve created a separate comparison guide on carbide vs diamond dental burs. Here’s where each material has an edge:
Carbide Burs
One of the most commonly used materials in dentistry for its sharp cutting edges. Tungsten carbide supports precise cutting of enamel, dentin, and even amalgam or composite materials.
Dentists often choose carbide burs for procedures like cavity preparation, removing old fillings, and shaping teeth. Their durability makes them ideal for high-speed handpieces, so you can quickly remove tooth matter without generating excessive heat.
Diamond Burs
These are made by bonding diamond particles to a metal base and they’re used for smoothing and polishing hard materials. Their abrasive quality is ideal for reducing tooth structure, trimming restorations, and working on ceramic or composite materials.
Diamond burs come in various grits, from coarse to superfine, so you can use this material for both aggressive cutting and detailed finishing work. They’re especially common in crown preparations and other prosthodontic procedures that need smooth, precise results.
Ceramic Burs
This non-metal alternative offers high wear resistance and heat reduction during procedures. Dentists typically only use these burs when working with patients who have metal allergies, though.
These burs stay sharp over time and produce less heat during high-speed operations, further minimizing patient discomfort. Since they’re non-reactive they also have a longer lifespan compared to some metal burs.
Bur Shank and Length
The shank connects the bur to the handpiece and influences how the bur performs. You’ll have a few different options to choose from here as well.
Standard-length shanks are most common and provide a balance between accessibility and maneuverability. Short shank burs are ideal for working in tight spaces or when more control is needed. Long shanks are used for deeper access in surgical or prosthodontic procedures so the dentist can reach areas that standard shank burs can’t.
It really just comes down to matching the bur shank length to the depth of the area being worked on. This is really important when working on complex restorative or surgical cases where you need to reach challenging areas of the mouth without obstructing your view or losing control. Choosing the right shank minimizes fatigue and maximizes efficiency.
Beyond length, account for the specific type of shank in question. The most common are:
- Friction Grip (FG) Shanks: Used in high-speed handpieces and most commonly found in general restorative procedures.
- Latch-Type (RA) Shanks: Used in slow-speed handpieces and often selected for finishing or polishing work.
- Straight Handpiece (HP) Shanks: Typically longer and thicker for use in surgical or laboratory handpieces.
While so much emphasis is placed on the material and bur shape, the shank type and length are just as important. Speaking of bur shape…
Various Bur Shapes and Styles
One of the most common ways to characterize burs is by their shape. Each shape has a unique design and application that determines how it interacts with tooth structures, restorations, or prosthetics.
Round Burs
Mainly used for creating initial access into the tooth and removing decay. Their rounded tip allows for gentle excavation of carious lesions, providing precision without compromising the surrounding tooth structure. Use these when shaping cavities for fillings or cleaning out decayed material.
Barrel Burs
Their cylindrical shape with rounded edges makes them ideal for contouring and shaping larger surface areas. They’re commonly used in prosthodontics and restorative dentistry to smooth out rough surfaces and prepare teeth for crowns or bridges.
Football Burs
The name comes from its elongated, oval shape which resembles a football. They’re perfect for refining occlusal surfaces and adjusting the shape of restorations. This design is ideal for working on both anterior and posterior teeth, providing smooth and rounded contours.
Cylinder Burs
The straight, cylindrical design is optimized for cutting flat surfaces and smoothing out restorative materials. They’re particularly effective for working on cavity walls or trimming down restorations so they sit flush with the tooth structure.
Fissure Burs (Straight and Tapered)
Fissure burs come in two main types: straight and tapered. These are designed for cutting into the tooth and creating grooves or slots, essential for many cavity preparations.
The straight fissure bur creates flat floors, while the tapered fissure bur produces diverging walls so the dentist can easily shape the cavity with precision.
Pear-Shaped Burs
Pear-shaped burs are designed to create undercuts and retention areas in tooth preparations, locking restorations in place. Their unique shape supports gentle carving and excavation while keeping the edges of the restoration secure.
Inverted Cone Burs
This unique design allows professionals to create undercuts in cavity preparations in areas where retention is needed. These burs are commonly used in restorative procedures, especially when preparing for amalgam fillings since they help secure the filling material in place.
Wheel Burs
These have a flat, disk-like design ideal for creating parallel walls in cavity preparations. They’re also used for trimming and shaping dental crowns into smooth, flat surfaces. Their sharp edges make them perfect for cutting precise grooves and shaping restorations.
Tree Burs
Tree burs feature a tapered, pointed design that resembles a pine tree. This shape is particularly effective for smoothing and contouring hard-to-reach areas, making it ideal for trimming and shaping restorations like veneers and crowns. The pointed tip also allows for more detailed and precise adjustments.
Grit Size and Color
While the shape of a dental bur influences its cutting ability, the grit size also plays a part. This speaks to how coarse or fine a bur is. It’s typically color-coded to streamline the process of choosing the right grit for any given job. Here is an overview of your options:
- Coarse Grit: Used for aggressive material removal. Whether shaping restorations or reducing large amounts of tooth structure, these make quick work of tough materials like composite or amalgam fillings. They’re often color-coded green or black.
- Medium Grit: Versatile and used for refining the shape of restorations or preparing teeth for crowns and bridges. They balance cutting ability with more control and are commonly color-coded blue.
- Fine Grit: Used for smoothing surfaces and creating a high-quality finish on restorations in the final stages of polishing and finishing. They’re color-coded red.
- Extra-Fine Grit: Deliver even more precision in polishing and finishing, leaving surfaces ultra-smooth. Primarily used when working on porcelain or composite restorations. Often color-coded yellow or white.
- Super Coarse Grit: Used for heavy-duty cutting and trimming and typically applied during the initial stages of material removal in prosthetic work or when needing to cut through tough materials. Color-coded black.
Head Size
You also need to take the size of a bur’s head into account when selecting one for a specific job. It influences how much material can be removed and how precise the application will be. Dental bur heads are typically categorized by millimeters, ranging from small to large:
- Small Heads: Ideal for precision work and detail-oriented procedures, like fine adjustments to restorations, cavity prep in tight spaces, or working on pediatric patients with smaller teeth. These give you greater control in delicate procedures.
- Medium Heads: Commonly used for general dentistry applications, such as shaping restorations, removing decay, or preparing teeth for crowns. They’re more versatile and strike a balance between efficiency and control, so you can remove enough material without losing accuracy.
- Large Heads: The go-to for bulk material removal, especially when speed is a priority. They’re commonly utilized in the early stages of tooth preparation or when working on substantial restorations that need significant shaping or contouring. They’re unsuitable for fine detail work as they can remove too much material at once.
This aspect of how to choose a right dental bur is fairly simple. If you need precision and control, stick with smaller head sizes. For more efficiency, opt for a larger head. But no matter what type of bur you need, you also need to consider who you’re sourcing from…
Sourcing From a Reputable Manufacturer
We probably do not have to remind you just how important it is to invest in quality across all the supplies and instruments you use in your practice. Finding a reliable supplier can make or break the results you get for your patients, and it also impacts your bottom line.
High-quality dental burs are crafted using superior materials and manufacturing techniques that ensure they perform well under stress, offering optimal cutting precision and durability for years to come. While you may pay a bit more upfront, you’ll save money in the long run.
Moreover, sourcing the right dental burs from a reputable manufacturer guarantees you’re getting sterile solutions that meet all necessary regulations. This minimizes the risk of instrument failure or poor patient outcomes, protecting your reputation as a practitioner.
While there’s certainly a lot to consider in how to choose a right dental bur, the good news is your search ends here at My DDS Supply, whether you need dental carbide burs or a dental diamond bur!
The Right Dental Bur For Any Job is a Click Away at My DDS Supply!
My DDS Supply is your factory-direct eBay store for all things dentistry. Sourcing through us means you get the top-quality solutions you and your patients deserve at a fair price, with world-class customer service every step of the way.
We have all the different types of bur you could need, ranging from carbide to diamond and in a variety of shapes and sizes - flame, round end taper, needle, cylinder, inverted cone, and more.
Even though we’ve shared some of the best advice on how to choose a right dental bur, we know this can be a complex topic and you may still have questions. If so, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our customer service team. We’ll help you round out your arsenal with all the burs you need.
Final Thoughts on How to Choose a Right Dental Bur
That does it for our guide on how to choose a right dental bur. Hopefully, you have a clear understanding of all the different factors to consider before grabbing a bur and getting started on a procedure.
Our blog has more resources like what is a bur in dentistry, how to sterilize dental burs, how long does temporary cement last on a crown, how to soften dental putty, how to mix alginate, and more.
Otherwise, the only thing left to do today is set yourself up for success with all the different types of dental burs you could need right here at My DDS Supply. Shop today to enhance precision, efficiency, and patient comfort in everything you do!