Diamond or Carbide Burs? These Questions Will Help You Decide

Today’s dentists might consider it an embarrassment of riches.

Now, more than ever, dental professionals have an extensive array of burs and shapes available that enable them to treat a wide variety of surfaces. Whether you’re removing an old filling or preparing a tooth for a crown, there are a myriad of choices available to you.

For decades, we’ve produced the best diamond and carbide burs that are both versatile and long-lasting. But when should you use a diamond vs. a carbide bur? We’ve gathered some useful questions to help you decide which might be appropriate.

The Differences Between Diamond and Carbide Burs and When You Should Use Them

When considering what type of bur to use, ask yourself:

What type of procedure are you doing?

The right tool is needed for the right job, so this should be the first question you ask when considering diamond vs. carbide. For example, a carbide bur would be a better choice if you were preparing a tooth for a filling.

What type of material will I be cutting?

If you’re cutting a hard material such bone or metal, then a carbide bur would be a good choice. They can be easily used on gold, silver and bone. They’re also an excellent choice for removing old fillings. Diamonds would be a better choice for cutting porcelain.

How much material will I be removing?

Diamond burs are more appropriate for detail work instead of removing large pieces of material. For these jobs, carbide would be the best choice.

What is the level of precision required?

Granted, all procedures require absolute accuracy. However, sometimes you have a situation where you have to be even more diligent about the details. For cases such as this, you may want a diamond bur. They are smoother than carbides and will provide the precision you need. In addition, diamond burs tend to last longer than carbides

Which do you prefer?

Your coworkers and colleagues may offer suggestions, but essentially, there is no substitute for trying out the tool yourself. If you’d like to participate in one of our Lunch and Learn sessions and get a chance to experience our tools firsthand, just contact us. You can also see us at many of the trade shows around the country. Please visit our booth. We’d love to meet you and answer all your questions.

Diatech Diamond Burs Have Been the Leaders in the Industry

At Diatech, good is simply not good enough. Extensive craftsmanship and stringent quality control go into every piece that leaves our facility. We’ve also cut out the middleman so you can order direct—which saves time and money. Contact us for more information.

At Diatech, we manufacture superior and innovative products for the dental industry… for the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, orthodontist, endodontist and lab technician. We stand behind our promise of uncompromised quality and the best in competitive pricing.