An Assessment of Burs Designed to Cut Zirconia

Objective: Zirconia is increasingly being used in restorative dentistry but its removal is often a difficult procedure due to its resistance to cutting with conventional diamond burs. Zirconia cutting burs have been developed and this study aims to compare 4 such burs. Methods: 35 experienced restorative dentists selected from our Practice Based Network (PBN) were asked to evaluate the cutting of a 1 mm groove into zirconia using 4 burs A (Meisinger), B (ZR2-1 experimental bur from DIATECH), C (Komet) & D (DIATECH Z-Rex, a bur designed with enhanced bonding of diamond grit to bur shank). Responses regarding cutting time, performance and wear were recorded. Results: For best cutting times and also overall performance D performed best and C the worst, with little difference between burs A and B. Bur C also performed least well for wear on the bur. Conclusion: The newly designed zirconia cutting bur DIATECH Z-Rex with enhanced bonding of diamond grit performed best in the analysis by the 35 dentists.