The carbide vs. diamond bur debate doesn’t have to result in one winner, because both have their strengths, and most clinicians do have both on hand, even if they’re more inclined to use one over the other.
While diamonds definitely have their benefits, carbides are sometimes the forgotten heavy hitters in the bur drawer, only making an appearance when the restoration is complicated and involves cutting bone and metal, and you need something that holds up under high heat.
But you don’t need to save your carbides for your toughest jobs. They are a versatile option for everyday restorations, such as crowns and bridges.
Knowing whether a carbide bur will get your job done is a matter of knowing how carbides work and what tasks they do especially well.
Carbides operate differently from their diamond counterparts: they slice material while diamonds grind it. Slicing creates a smoother surface than the grinding does. So if a rough surface isn’t what you’re after, you will need to do some additional polishing to complete the job if you’re using diamonds. That makes carbides ideal for trimming and finishing needs.
Because they cut quickly, carbides can save the clinician time. They also can minimize trauma to surrounding teeth as they efficiently and smoothly cut, minimizing debris. They also tend to last longer than their diamond counterparts as they are more tolerant of heavy usage.
A&M Instruments carry a variety of friction grip (FG) and handpiece (HP) carbide burs in a range of shapes, grits and sizes. Both FG and HP burs are manufactured from solid carbide for strength, and A&M uses the latest grinding technology so the finished product is as sharp and long-lasting as possible.
Plus, you can be confident of the quality of A&M’s burs since they meet both ISO and FDA quality control standards. To learn more visit aminstr.com.
