Author(s)

Brian J. Millar

Restorative Dentistry, King’s College London Dental Institute, London, UK.

Objective: Zirconia is increasingly being used in restorative dentistry but its removal is often a difficult procedure due to its resistance to cutting with conventional diamond burs. Zirconia cutting burs have been developed and this study aims to compare 4 such burs. Methods: 35 experienced restorative dentists selected from our Practice Based Network (PBN) were asked to evaluate the cutting of a 1 mm groove into zirconia using 4 burs A (Meisinger), B (ZR2-1 experimental bur from DIATECH), C (Komet) & D (DIATECH Z-Rex, a bur designed with enhanced bonding of diamond grit to bur shank). Responses regarding cutting time, performance and wear were recorded. Results: For best cutting times and also overall performance D performed best and C the worst, with little difference between burs A and B. Bur C also performed least well for wear on the bur. Conclusion: The newly designed zirconia cutting bur DIATECH Z-Rex with enhanced bonding of diamond grit performed best in the analysis by the 35 dentists.

Burs, Zirconia, Removal

Millar, B. (2017) An Assessment of Burs Designed to Cut Zirconia. Open Journal of Stomatology, 7, 277-282. doi: 10.4236/ojst.2017.75021.