Burs and Beyond
SS White’s innovative diamonds and carbides have satisfied generations of practicing clinicians and are a top choice among DPS readers
Albert Einstein once said, “Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master.” A tireless inventor, Samuel Stockton White, the founder of SS White Dental, meets these qualifications perfectly. A young dentist who started a business making porcelain teeth out of an attic in downtown Philadelphia, Mr. White never could have imagined his little "tooth factory" would grow to become one of the largest dental instrument manufacturers in the world.
From inventing the carbide bur to introducing the first single-use, sterile diamonds, here we highlight some of SS White's landmark accomplishments, which have revolutionized dental bur technology and minimally invasive dentistry.
1891: Revelation Premium Diamonds
After years of burs being made by hand, Revelation Diamonds marked a major milestone as the first dental burs to be entirely manufactured by automation. Offering an extensive selection of shapes and grits, they ensure fast and consistent cutting with improved patient comfort.
The burs feature diamond particles in a 3-layer matrix, allowing for greater durability and longevity, while a high-grade stainless steel shank resists corrosion. Providing up to 25% cost savings compared to similar burs on the market, a survey of 400 dentists who tried Revelation Diamonds revealed that 92% would reorder them.
1990–1991: Great White Z and Piranha Diamonds
Fast forward a century, to when SS White Dental launched the Great White restorative burs, specifically designed for removing all types of nonprecious and semiprecious restorations. As zirconia has become an increasingly popular restorative material choice, SS White added Great White Z Diamonds, a DPS Recommended Product, to this well-established bur family.
Manufactured with fine diamond particles using a proprietary diamond bonding technique, the wide range of Great White Z Diamonds reduces procedure time as well as microfractures and vibrations—increasing both patient and clinician satisfaction.
In 1991, SS White Dental launched single-patient-use diamond burs to help prevent the risk of cross-contamination and provide a fast-cutting instrument for every procedure. For example, Piranha single-patient-use diamond burs are individually wrapped and available in over 550 shapes, sizes, and grits.
2002: Fissurotomy Burs
Introduced in 2002, the fine-tipped Fissurotomy marks the industry's first minimally invasive cavity prep bur. With a unique head shape that's more conservative than a 1/4 round bur, it allows for early diagnosis and preparation of hidden fissure caries—often without the use of anesthesia.
In just 3 to 5 minutes, Fissurotomy burs allow clinicians to explore and restore using a patient-friendly technique that's virtually pain-free and creates an ideal cavity form. A cleaner and less costly alternative to air abrasion that also helps reduce patient anxiety, multiple tip sizes are available to meet the needs of both adults and children.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
800.535.2877 | www.sswhitedental.com
