Zip Through Zirconia
SS White’s recently expanded Great White Z Diamond bur line aims to reduce the time and effort clinicians spend cutting and adjusting zirconia
There are countless reasons to bring technology into the practice, but chief among them is the desire to make procedures faster and easier, while creating a more positive patient experience. But not all technology needs to be plugged in. Sometimes, the technology lies in the small details, like a bur with fine diamond particles that’s uniquely designed to cut through one of the toughest dental materials: zirconia.
Now the preferred material for crowns, zirconia has surged in popularity thanks to its strength and durability. “Zirconia is the most common material I see for recently placed restorations, and I use it for the majority of my posterior crowns,” said Carrie Niemann, DDS.
Cut Zirconia and Chair Time
Despite zirconia's elevated status, most dentists would agree that cutting through it is a dreaded chore, and unfortunately, one they are faced with frequently. “I find myself needing to cut off or gain access through zirconia crowns or bridges every week—sometimes multiple times per week,” said Dr. Niemann. “The process is much more arduous and ruins regular diamond burs.” Luckily, Dr. Niemann had the opportunity to try a few of SS White's zirconia-specific burs during a recent DPS product review. The aptly named Great White Z Diamond bur line now includes 5 specialty zirconia kits suitable for crown and bridge adjustment and removal, endo access through zirconia, and adjusting lab copings.
Made of fine diamond particles using a proprietary diamond bonding technique that helps reduce vibration, burs in the new specialty kits come in a variety of shapes, diameters, head and overall lengths, and fine and medium grits.
“These burs were efficient at cutting through zirconia and made removing crowns easier,” said Dr. Niemann. While she prefers using a round-end taper bur, most doctors who evaluated the Great White Z Diamonds appreciated the variety of bur shapes from which to choose. “I was looking for diamonds that would retain their abrasiveness for the entire preparation and last beyond a single tooth,” said Dr. Jeff Kosoris prior to using Great White Z Diamonds. “The diamond layer was visibly and precisely applied to these instruments,” he found. “These are simply great diamonds that improve my chairside efficiency.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
800.535.2877 | www.sswhitedental.com
