Rotary Cutting Instrument
instruments that rotate on an axis to perform cutting and abrading on tooth structure
Parts of dental Handpieces
working end (head)
shank
connection
Dental handpieces are divided into two categories:
high-speed handpieces
(operate up to 450,000 rpm and higher)
low-speed handpieces
(operate up to 30,000 rpm)
Low-speed Motor
referred to as “slow speed or straight handpiece”
High-speed handpiece
to cut tooth structure, to cut bone, to remove decay, and to modify or remove restorations
Different types of securing burs in the handpiece:
power level chuck
push button chuck
conventional chuck - need to secure bur and loosen bur in handpiece with wrench
Chuck
a small, metal cylinder to hold the rotary instruments (burs)
Dental bur
part of a group of instruments referred to as rotary instruments
rotary cutting instrument which has bladed cutting head
Stainless Steel bur
first developed burs
designed for slow speed
not used often because they dull very fast
Tungsten carbide bur
designed to withstand heavy stresses and increase shelf life
stronger and remain sharper during cavity preparation
Classification of burs: attachment
● latch type ● friction grip type
Classification of burs: composition
● stainless steel ● carbide bur or ● combination
Classification of burs: length of head
● long ● short ● regular
Classification of burs: use
● cutting ● finishing ● polishing
Classification of burs: shape
● round ● inverted cone ● pear shaped ● tapering fissure ● straight fissure ● end cutting
Three basic parts of the bur
head
neck
shank
Three important angles:
rake angle - most important design characteristic of a bur blade
edge angle
clearance angle
Factors affecting cutting efficiency of bur
● Rake angle ● Spiral angle and cross cuts ● Concentricity and run out ● Neck diameter ● No of teeth/blades
Abrasive instruments can be divided into:
diamond abrasives
other abrasives
Diamond Abrasive Instruments
introduced in 1942
greater resistance to abrasion, lower heat generation and longer life to be preferred over tungsten carbide burs.
Diamond instruments consists of three parts
metal blank
powered diamond abrasive
bonding agent
Hazards with cutting instruments
pulpal precautions
soft tissue precautions
eye protections
ear protections
inhalation precautions