4 Reasons to Switch to Single-Use Diamond Burs

It’s not hard to see the appeal of diamond burs: after all, they offer superior cutting ability and outstanding durability. Disposable diamond instruments, in particular, help cut down on tasks like cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance, and can streamline inventory management and setup, freeing team bandwidth and other practice resources.

However, when it comes to some single-use instruments, the reality is that many products on the market can’t quite compete with their reusable counterparts. A common complaint among users of disposable diamond burs, for example, is that they tend to shed or break off mid-procedure. When this happens, it can cause handpieces to vibrate or clog, interrupting treatment and forcing dentists to expend multiple burs—and spend excessive time—on a single preparation.

Patterson's Single-Use Diamond Burs challenge the status quo—providing the inherent benefits of single-use products while enabling clinicians to complete most restoration preps with just one bur. Below, we check in with several clinicians who took part in the DPS product review of Patterson Single-Use Diamond Burs as they explain what makes these instruments a cut above the rest.

1. Reliable Cutting Efficiency

Doctors depend on diamond burs for their ability to efficiently remove substrate and achieve clean, precise preparations. Patterson's single-use diamond burs have fulfilled this purpose in the practice of Joseph P. Ritz, DMD,a general and cosmetic dentist in Wayne, PA. After being introduced to the burs through the DPS product review, he quickly grew to appreciate their “smooth, efficient, predictable cutting,” which equated to “faster and cleaner” preparations.

Praise for Patterson diamonds’ reliability was echoed by other DPS evaluators like Dr. Carmen Nelson, who shared, “Not one broke off, vibrated, or clogged—I am very excited to have good cutting ability throughout the prep.” Likewise, Dr. Elizabeth Spindel emphasized that Patterson’s single-use diamonds are more than a suitable substitute for standard burs, stating, “I felt these burs cut nicer than some of the multi-use burs I own.”

2. Excellent Durability, Even with Zirconia

According to Dr. Ritz, the durability of Patterson’s disposable diamonds’ is “excellent,” and it’s only when working with zirconia that it occasionally takes more than one bur to finish the job. He is quick to assure clinicians that, due to the material’s notorious strength, this is not a “product-specific” exception. “Removing zirconia crowns is challenging,” and, regardless of diamond choice, “often requires multiple burs to accomplish,” Dr. Ritz explained.

It’s worth noting that Dr. Cynthia Young and Dr. Krista Kappus, who also participated in the Product Review, both reported that they were able to successfully remove zirconia crowns using just a single Patterson diamond.

3. Versatility for Every Indication

Patterson's single-use diamonds come in a range of shapes, sizes, and grits, affording clinicians the versatility needed for virtually any restorative indication. This makes them a go-to in Dr. Ritz’s crown and bridge procedures, “including crown removal,” he said. When it comes to bur selection, he relies on Patterson’s round-end, coarse-grit single-use diamonds for gross reduction, and the same shape in a medium grit for finishing.

Dr. Ritz also utilizes Patterson’s football-shaped diamonds for lingual reduction on anterior teeth, a preference he shares with DPS evaluator Dr. Lance Huthwaite, who said this shape “made finishing the linguals of anterior composites much faster with a smoother result.” As mentioned, a single round-end taper Patterson diamond was reportedly all Dr. Kappus needed to rapidly remove an old zirconia crown, which she accomplished without the bur balding or sparking.

4. Safer, Simpler Restorative Workflows

Safety is undoubtedly one of the main reasons why dentists switch from reusable products to single-use alternatives. This is especially true when it comes to “critical items” like dental burs, which are classified as such by the CDC because they pose the greatest risk of transmitting infection. In addition to reducing infection risk and eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization after use, Patterson's single-use diamonds are available in sterile and individually wrapped, so you can always be sure you’re starting each procedure with a brand new, patient-safe bur.

“Single-use allows simplicity in instrument setup,” Dr. Ritz noted, affirming comments made by Dr. Huthwaite, who found that Patterson diamonds’ packaging made for “easy selection and use” during procedures. Dr. Kappus likewise concluded that it was “nice to have a fresh bur at the beginning of each procedure,” as it ultimately helped make her preps “quicker and more efficient.”