NeoBurr dental carbides offer unparalleled quality, strength and performance. To learn more about NeoBurr visit NeoBurr.com

Dental burs are a vital tool required for almost every dental treatment and procedure. They are necessary for cutting, grinding, and removing hard and soft tissue and are designed to attach to the rotary dental handpiece for fast and efficient dental work.

Types of Dental Burs and Their Use

The two most common types of dental burs are tungsten carbide burs and diamond burs. Within those general categories, there are sub-types of burs that come in different shapes, blade configurations, and head angles to suit a variety of procedures.

• Tungsten Carbide Burs

Carbide burs are made from tungsten carbide and three times more robust than steel. Due to the hardness of the metal, they are ideally suited to cutting work such as preparing cavities, cutting through metal fillings, and shaping bone during dental implant surgery. They are also often used for crown removal during endodontic procedures.

Unlike diamond burs, they don’t grind the enamel, leaving a smoother surface and reducing the amount of vibration on the handpiece.

• Diamond Burs

Diamond burs are composed of a stainless-steel frame coated in diamond powder available in various grits. The level of the grit determines the type of procedure the burs can be used for.

Diamond burs are typically used for precision shaping and polishing, but as diamond is one of the hardest known materials, they are often used to cut through zirconia or grind porcelain during the preparation and placement of veneers and crowns.

The Benefits of Single Patient Use Burs and Instruments

Single-patient-use burs and instruments such as probes, mirrors, or procedural kits, are designed to be used and immediately discarded instead of sterilized for the next patient. They have recently gained popularity due to the dramatic reduction in patient and staff infections, and the decreased cost of replacement which can help dental practices to save money.

• Better Hygiene

Even if your practice uses exceptional cleaning and sterilization techniques, a small number of bacteria can withstand the extreme temperature and pressure of an autoclave. Single-patient-use burs and instruments improve your infection control by minimizing the patient-to-patient transfer of oral microorganisms.

While most patients with strong immune systems can withstand mildly contaminated burs and instruments, immunocompromised patients or patients with a significant co-morbidity are at a high risk of infection. Single-patient-use burs and instruments eliminate this risk, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

• Patient-friendly

All types of burs become clogged with enamel and dentin throughout a procedure, which can reduce the cutting efficiency. Clogged burs require additional pressure to achieve the same cutting intensity, which can not only irritate the patient but also damage expensive handpieces and result in longer chair times.

Using a new single-patient-use bur for each procedure keeps chair time to a minimum to reduce fatigue, keeps handpiece bearings in good condition, and provides a more comfortable experience for patients.

• Cost-efficient

Cleaning and sterilizing instruments and burs can increase your overhead costs due to utilities, additional staff, and extra rental space needed to store autoclaves and sterilizing equipment.

Single patient use instruments are a cost-efficient solution to patient care that significantly reduces your overheads and enables you to focus on providing outstanding service to your patients. Despite their low-cost, single-patient-use burs offer the same strength and grinding and cutting ability as their reusable counterparts.

Final Thoughts

The right bur is critical to a successful dental treatment with different sizes, shapes, grits serving different purposes. Single-patient-use burs are now preferred over reusable burs as they offer greater infection control and provide a better patient experience.

About the author

Dr. Fadi Swaida first graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honors BSc in Biology before graduating from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Dentistry. He is an active member of his church and enjoys football and being by the water! His outgoing personality and fun-loving character will ensure you always feel welcome at Dentist North York.

The Pioneer of Single-Patient-Use

NeoDiamond, the pioneer and #1 single-patient-use diamond, is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. Three decades ago, Microcopy co-founder Thom Maass, Jr. achieved his vision to offer a high quality, sterile and efficient dental diamond bur — even coining the phrase “Single-Patient-Use”. NeoDiamond launched, outfitted in the distinctive magenta packaging, in early 1989. The original NeoDiamond line consisted of 16 shapes. Unbeknownst to Thom, NeoDiamond would go on to become a highly regarded brand by dental professionals around the world.

“Much has changed since NeoDiamond launched in 1989,” said Paul Tucker, CEO, “But through the years Microcopy has stayed true to its mission to bring products to the dental market that make dentistry easier and safer.” The NeoDiamond line now consists of 126 shapes in various grits. Most recently, in May 2019, 6 new pediatric short shank diamond burs were released. Microcopy has expanded globally and maintains a focus to offer innovative, single-patient-use products that enable dentists to fulfill a social responsibility to provide better, healthier patient care. It’s no longer 1989 but Microcopy is planning to keep NeoDiamond around for the next 30 years. As Heather Siler, marketing manager puts it, “NeoDiamond was developed with safety and performance in mind, which is still the driving force for the brand today. Great products like NeoDiamond will never go out of style.”

To celebrate NeoDiamond’s golden anniversary, Microcopy wants to hear from NeoDiamond customers, old and new. Microcopy has launched a photo submission campaign, encouraging customers to submit their “NeoDiamond Story” along with a photo, sharing why they started using or what they love about these single-patient-use diamonds. Entries will be submitted into a drawing to win a trip to Atlanta for a tour of Microcopy and select from a list of other exciting places to visit while in the city. To share your NeoDiamond Story visit: https://microcopydental.com/nd-30form. 

For more information about NeoDiamond visit www.NeoDiamond.com or call 800-235-1863.

The Growing Field of Pediatric Dentistry

Microcopy Dental is expanding the NeoDiamond portfolio with the release of six new pediatric diamond burs. The launch will take place in May at the CDA Presents in Anaheim.

This line expansion comes at a time of rapid growth in pediatric dentistry, one of the fastest growing dental specialties. These new additions to the NeoDiamond line guarantee a precise, minimally invasive cut at an economical price. A precise, minimally invasive cut is imperative, especially for pediatric patients. With that in mind, Microcopy’s Pediatric NeoDiamonds are designed for use on smaller teeth and working with tighter margins.

“On the heels of NeoDiamond’s 30^th anniversary, we are excited to expand our single-patient-use diamond portfolio. This is the first major line expansion for NeoDiamond since the launch of Endo Access and Guide-Pin diamonds in 2011,” said Heather Siler, Microcopy’s core product marketing manager. 

All pediatric diamonds are available at the same price point as the Crown and Bridge NeoDiamonds and will come in the renowned pink box of 25 pre-sterilized burs.

Visit www.NeoDiamond.com or call 800-235-1863 to request a product sample or for more information.

The New Definition of Strength

At this year’s Chicago Midwinter meeting, Microcopy, a leader in the design and development of innovative products for the dental industry, announces the release of its new NeoBurr 330² blended neck® carbide. This new blended neck carbide follows suit with the 557², the section of the bur between the cutting head and the shank is blended so there is no reduction in neck width. This design, coupled with the removal of the weld joint increases the strength of the bur. The new 330² boasts unrivaled strength. This innovative design removes any weak points in the bur’s neck that might otherwise cause breakage.

“It is important for us to provide high-quality products that solve a problem. Carbide breakage is a well-known issue that exists in dentistry. By offering a stronger carbide line, we have made it our mission to make carbide breakage a thing of the past,” said Heather Siler, Microcopy’s core product marketing manager. 

Most of the top-selling NeoBurr shapes are available in blended neck and Microcopy plans to release additional blended neck shapes as they are designed and developed.

After a recent product evaluation of the NeoBurr 330², Dr. Lawrence Cooper says, “Very fast, smooth cutting occlusal and distal preparations.”  The new 330² has all the same great features as the original NeoBurr 330, but now it has a blended neck for increased durability.

Visit NeoBurr.com or call 800-235-1863 for more information.

Reusable medical devices such as high-speed, slow-speed, electric (cordless), endodontic, and surgical handpieces should be cleaned and properly sterilized after each patient use. This includes all parts of the handpiece (nosecone, head, and motor) and attachments (reusable contra or prophy angle). In fact, any intraoral device that can be removed from air or waterlines should be cleaned and sterilized according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the manufacturers of such devices.

Studies have found that the internal gears of handpiece motors can become contaminated during a procedure and, as a result, may contaminate the rest of the handpiece. Therefore, using an unsterile device could lead to cross-contamination between patients. Surface disinfection and immersion in a chemical germicide isn’t acceptable. Chemical vapor and autoclave sterilization are the only approved methods.

Most handpieces sold today can withstand heat and chemical vapor sterilization. Handpieces that can’t tolerate the process may be retrofitted to allow for sterilization. The FDA has very clear guidelines regarding the use of older devices that can’t be cleaned and sterilized properly. If in doubt as to whether or not a device can be sterilized safely, the FDA provides a searchable database online of devices that can tolerate the procedure.  

Buying multiple handpieces can be expensive, but following the manufacturer’s directions can ensure that they have a long lifespan. Cleaning and lubrication is the most important part of keeping the device in great shape and ensures durability and top performance.

Mandatory sterilization of handpieces is controlled by each state dental board. As of this writing, it’s mandated in the following states: Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Oregon, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, and Washington State. It’s estimated that most states will require proper sterilization at some point, so it may be wise to go ahead and make the investment. Being compliant now will help with the transition and keep the practice running smoothly.

By: Nicole Giesey, RDH, MSPTE

It is nice to have a break in your schedule and get the occasional sealant patient. They are definitely a change of pace from the routine cleanings. Some sealant placements go quickly and some become very challenging. When you are tight on time and want to adhere to your schedule, making sure you have the perfect products for the procedure will help not only yourself but your patient as well. There are so many products on the market that can save you money but making sure that you are also utilizing the right product to get the job done efficiently may be worth its weight in gold. If you are using products just because they are a cheap replacement to the more efficient method, it may just end up costing you more in the long-run.

One product we can really narrow down would be the saliva control product used during sealant placement. Cotton rolls vs. absorbent pads in the buccal mucosa, to be a little more specific. The parotid gland is a wonderful, beautiful gland and when working properly is very useful….just not during sealant placement. Wouldn’t it be so nice if we could just turn it off until our procedures are complete? We can use products that would make us think that the gland is turned off. The right absorbent pad would make your life so easy compared to using a cotton roll. The key word is the right absorbent pad. The hard cardboard stiff saliva absorbents are not the products I am referring to. You need to think of the area that is being isolated and fit a product like a key into it. Not only make it seem like there is no gland present, but also shine some light on your tight working situation. I was introduced to the reflective NeoDrys about 2 years ago while temping in an office that used them regularly. Not only did I feel like the field was extremely dry and easy to work in, the product stayed in place and the reflective surface transilluminated the light so I could actually see my working field. I went back to my office and told my boss about the experience and called my product company for samples. He tried them and now it’s like our normal. I researched a little more into the product and this is what I found:

The anatomy of the area needs something that conforms to the curvature of the patient’s cheek. This product is not so stiff but flexible. It literally fits not only over the source of saliva, but it conforms nicely to the area and is retained there as well during the procedure. When you use a cotton roll it slips and slides all over the place and they always seem to fill with saliva quickly, becoming a slimy roll of cotton that ultimately falls out of place. The whole prep that you just worked on to be perfectly etched for sealant placement gets contaminated. The NeoDrys do not move because they are nicely tucked in close to the mucosa and held in place by the teeth. They also do not leak out of the other side because they have a core that takes in and retains all the saliva. They puff like a pillow evenly and do not leak onto the prep. They also take awhile to really fill up, about 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to place the sealants on the side you are working on and then easily move to the next side without using a ton of product. Typically you would go through 2-3 cotton rolls for one side at least. There is definitely a time and place for cotton rolls, like for lingual saliva control where a roll would be used in the right anatomical space but just not for the buccal arena. After you have ruined sealant preps from bad isolation a couple of times, you can really justify with your time and product loss the use of a good isolation product. These can also be used in conjunction with the new all-in-one multifunctional cheek retracting, isolating, and suction products.

The bottom line is that there are really nice products out there for all procedures that will make your life a lot less stressful. You can totally justify using them with the production time you will save by doing the procedure right the first time, not having to extend that precious time or your nerves. It is very frustrating to both the hygienist and the patient to start from scratch after you were almost done. Most companies will let you try before you buy their products. Have fun, test products and learn about different ways to make your day easier and you can keep on smiling. 

All dental clinicians dream of a dry field. It’s the one thing we must have for a procedure to be successful. How in the world do we maintain a site without saliva? Thankfully, this has become much easier since the ingenious development of Microcopy’s NeoDrys. This simple addition to my tray has revolutionized my most difficult patient situations.

Being a dental hygienist, I don’t have the luxury of having an assistant. NeoDrys have allowed me to triumphantly and comfortably finish the procedure without repetition. However, they aren’t just for hygienists. Dentists and assistants also love Neodrys because they make the most challenging patient easier to handle. Let me tell you how we accomplish the impossible with the aid of NeoDrys.

1.  “Ouchless” Comfort Edge- New technology creates flexible edges with no corners while retaining integrity. This allows for no cutting or binding, retracts the cheek, and serves as a mouth prop keeping the patient’s mouth open effortlessly. However, the patient can still move their cheek without any discomfort.
2.  Gentle to the Buccal Mucosa- The Medical-grade poly netting which faces the Buccal Mucosa adheres gently and prevents any irritation while maintaining exceptional sealing. They are also the perfect size to cover the entire area and can be placed far enough back to easily treat even third molars.
3. Superior Absorbent Core- Acrylate polymer retains moisture as a gel when in contact with saliva. It traps the saliva and doesn’t allow even a drop to escape. There is also very little swelling of the NeoDry as it fills with saliva. With a fifteen-minute working window before there is a need to replace, I rarely have to replace the NeoDry during a procedure.
4. Core Stiffener- Polystiffener Insert provides optimum rigidity for cheek retraction. We’ve all had that patient with very full cheeks. They open their mouth, and you can’t even see their teeth. NeoDrys solve this problem beautifully. By keeping the cheek retracted, not only is visibility improved greatly, but also the cheek is physically out of the way providing excellent access.
5. Protective Backing- Choice of Original white or Reflective backing brightens the oral cavity while providing cheek protection. As stated earlier, I’m a hygienist working alone. The addition of the Reflective backing has been a life saver for me because it allows for phenomenal lighting.
6. Saves You Money- Forget all those “parotid shields,” gauze, and cotton rolls which fall apart and get saturated quickly. NeoDrys save you time and money by getting the procedure done right on the first attempt. Nothing is worse than getting near the end of the procedure only to have it become contaminated with saliva. I dislike having to tell a 6-year old that we have to “start over” because it makes us both feel like a failure.
7. Easy Placement and Simple Release-   Select the NeoDrys size which adequately covers your patient’s mucosa. Insert gently with the color side against the cheek and point to the back of the mouth. In mere seconds, the NeoDrys will begin to adhere to the tissue. The NeoDrys will stay exactly where placed and won’t move until you’re ready for removal. You simply wet the absorbent side facing the mucosa for easy extraction. It comes out as one piece without any loose fibers to be cleaned out after the procedure.
8. NeoDrys Outperform the Competition and Have a “No Questions Asked Guarantee”- perhaps the main reason you should try Neodrys. You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Microcopy has developed this remarkable award-winning product, and you won’t want to waste another day struggling with yourself and your patient. When you try NeoDrys, you’ll wonder how you ever performed procedures without their help.
9. Available in Two Sizes- NeoDrys are available in Large (Blue) and Small  (Yellow) color coding for quick identification.

When you combine all of these qualities, NeoDrys become an intricate part of your routine. They are the “extra set of hands” I need to perform a rewarding procedure which is effortless for me and comfortable for my patient. This product is a game changer, and it will make your life as a clinician easier and more efficient.

Learn more at NeoDiamond.com

In 2016, Microcopy released the new blended neck™ NeoBurr 557². Now available on the 557² and other select shapes, the patent-pending blended neck was developed because other burs on the market were breaking frequently and causing interruptions in what should be smooth dental procedures. Microcopy wanted to change that.

Since the product release, NeoBurr has been tested and evaluated by numerous publications and labs. Everyone wanted to find out how the blended neck burs really performed.

After extensive evaluation, the NeoBurr 557² has been recognized as Best Product 2017 by the Dental Product Shopper, Preferred Product 2017 by the Dental Advisor, selected as a 2016 Top 100 Product by Dentistry Today, and finally, NeoBurr 330 was ranked #3 in the Top Carbides 2017 by Clinician's Report. All of the evaluations came back with excellent results.

Doctors are more concerned about dangerous, breaking burs than they let on.Since the release of the blended neck carbides, we have heard from many doctors pleased about making the switch to NeoBurr.

"Testing has shown that the new 557² exhibits minimal breakage when used during the toughest restoration procedures,” said Paul Tucker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Microcopy, “If you're skeptical about the added strength the NeoBurr line offers, you owe it to yourself to try NeoBurr today.”

Visit NeoBurr.com or call 800-235-1863 to request a product sample or for more information.

Carbide burs are common tools used in dentistry to perform maintenance on teeth including excavating cavities, drilling old fillings, and finishing preparations for crowns. They are made out of extremely durable materials including steel, steel coated tungsten carbide, diamond coated steel, or tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide is traditionally preferred as it can be used more times than steel only burs due to the durable nature of this material. While tungsten is typically three times stronger than steel, it is more brittle, but perfectly suitable in high-speed and low pressure dental applications. Additionally, tungsten burs have the ability to hold a sharp edge longer over other bur materials.

Finishing and Trimming Carbides

There are several types of carbide burs that dentists use for different procedures. The most necessary type of dental burs that every dentist should own are the finishing and trimming carbides. This type of dental bur is used to complete the last step in dental procedures by smoothing the walls of teeth and then polishing the composite for a smooth finish.

The most popular finishing and trimming carbides that are currently offered in dentistry supplies are the 12 Blade FB burs. They are constructed out of a single-piece of tungsten carbide and are plated in gold to increase strength and provide anti-microbial benefits for the patient. The solid construction reduces vibrations of the drill and makes the procedure more stable than other dental burs on the market. It also decreases the chances of the tool malfunction which is commonly found in other options for dentistry utensils.

Benefits

One of the key benefits offered by Metal or Carbide Burs is the improved results versus Diamond Burs. When a dentist is grinding on enamel, a Carbide Bur leaves a generally smoother surface than that produced when using a Diamond Bur, this can substantially reduce time spent polishing the surface post grinding.

One popular brand, specifically NeoBurr, offers a unique neck brazed weld which dramatically improves the longevity of the bur by providing a greater surface area for affixing the bur to the shank. Many dentists report that, while priced more competitively than other brands, NeoBurr brands perform just as well, and often outlast other brands that don’t offer this feature.

How it can help the industry

Dentists that have used the NeoBurr finishing and trimming carbides have noticed the comfortable feel and handling characteristic and that the unique neck offers easy mobility around the inside of the mouth while performing procedures. By offering a variety of shapes for trimming carbides, dental professionals can feel confident that they have the right tool for each patient.

Finishing and trimming carbides have revolutionized the way dentists perform routine maintenance and common dental procedures. They have increased the productivity level of dentist’s offices worldwide because of their smooth performance. By properly cleaning and sterilizing finishing carbides, you can extend the life of the dental bur and decrease the amount spent on dental supplies.

While I was driving through Eastern Kentucky one sunny day in 2001, my mom called to tell me my Uncle Thom Maass was looking for a business partner at Microcopy. I had taken the day off from work to look for a small business to call my own, so the call couldn’t have come at a better time. 

You wouldn’t know it by looking at him but my Uncle Thom was a giant-killer. Thom was on a quest to make dentistry easier for the dentist and safer for the patient. He had observed back in the ‘80s that large companies, all of which offered only expensive, multi-use diamonds, dominated the business.  The trick was in the cleaning of these burs – you couldn’t very well. He started the journey in 1989 with the introduction of the NeoDiamond.  It was a challenge at first, he was relentless about matching the quality of the market leaders, and he did.  But everything else about it was completely different.

With a drastically lower price, burs sterilized in individual packets on a roll of 25, all the shapes a little shorter than the competitors and with his own part numbering system, he was different.  And then there’s the box: he called the box color magenta, but it looked pink to me.  Finally, he didn’t like the thought of the bur being called disposable, nor did he like the term “single use,” so to take it the extra mile he created his own category called “single-patient-use.”  Wow! 

At first the big companies didn’t notice us at all. When they finally did, their response was to knock our quality, and did they ever.  Big mistake. Thom had that nailed and with supportive independent studies and ever-increasing sales. The proof was hard to ignore.

Now, 25 years later, the Single-Patient-Use category that Thom created is used and referred to by competitors and industry analysts alike. Other competitors have copied our box design, packets, sterilization and even part numbers. With 100 million sold, NeoDiamond celebrates its 25^th anniversary and is the market leader in unit sales.

I came on board about 6 months after that phone call in 2001, just when NeoDiamond sales were getting really interesting. Thom has long retired, but I’m continuing his commitment to innovation and safety... and to writing the next chapter.

We thank all of you for being a part of the “Story of the Little Pink Box.”