An Illinois general dentist shares how NeoDiamond Z-Class Cutters easily slice through zirconia—one of dentistry's most demanding materials—without fracturing the tooth structure beneath
Zirconia's strength and durability make it ideal for withstanding daily occlusal demands, but those same qualities also make it difficult to cut. Connie Onik, DMD, knew she needed burs that could handle the material's extreme hardness without overheating, and after trying dozens of options in her Frankfort, IL, practice, she found her answer with NeoDiamond Z-Class Cutters.
“In the past, I purchased burs marketed specifically for zirconia adjustment and removal,” she recalled. “They performed adequately but were often expensive, and I didn’t notice a significant improvement. I had to use different types of burs to section a single zirconia crown, and I would go through several of them for each procedure. Managing all those burs was cumbersome.”
Quick & Predictable Crown Removal
NeoDiamond Z-Class Cutters are single- patient-use diamond burs that effortlessly slice through ceramics, including zirconia, lithium disilicate, and porcelain.
“The distinct gold shank and band make them easy to identify,” Dr. Onik shared, “and I can typically complete an entire zirconia crown removal with a single bur, which is a significant improvement. I primarily use the round-end taper Z-Class Cutter. The rounded tip works well for cutting across the occlusal table, while the length of the bur is perfect for creating buccal and lingual grooves. This bur is extremely efficient; many zirconia crowns will fracture after a single buccal or lingual groove, allowing for quick and predictable removal."
Case in Point: Eliminating Tooth Fracture
In a recent case, Dr. Onik removed a monolithic zirconia crown from a mandibular incisor. Because the tooth had periodontal issues, she suspected the prep beneath the crown was narrow and fracture-prone, and she wanted to avoid putting too much pressure on it.
“The tooth was quite long, so using the round-end Z-Class Cutter up the facial was very convenient,” she said. “That bur melted right through the zirconia and I didn’t have any trouble removing the crown without fracturing the tooth structure beneath. I also appreciated not having to stop and replace the bur multiple times throughout the procedure,” said Dr. Onik, who shared that in addition to the Z-Class Cutters, she uses Z-Class Adjusters for her crown deliveries, finding that the finish they leave behind lets her polish the crown to a smooth, high shine.
"While this cutter is a single-use instrument," she added, "it is still a very cost-effective option compared to what I was doing previously."
