Your tools are not complete without dental burs and bur blocks in your practice. The dental bur is a drill bit typically made of either multi-fluted tungsten carbide or a diamond tip. The bur's head has small blades on it, which make the tool cut. Different shapes and angles make each bur cut a little differently.

When determining which dental lab burs to purchase for your practice, consider not only each instrument's use, but the quality of the product and the reputation of the manufacturer. Burs and bur blocks for dentistry are an investment. While it's smart to shop around for a good price, you don't want to purchase inferior equipment that will wear quickly. Therefore, keep in mind the following:

1. Buy only the dental burs your practice really requires.

2. Be prepared to pay a little more for quality dental burs that will last.

3. Consider purchasing your most required dental burs first, then buy "extras" as needed.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy dental burs of carbide

Muli-fluted tungsten carbide dental burs are widely used in the industry. Choose a dental burs distributor who offers quality products that will last and perform consistently well, in the end saving you time, frustration and money. Ideally, your distributor will also carry not just the basic burs you require but any specialty dental burs you may need, as well.

I recommend: SS White Burs sells several types of burs and bur accessories, including a fine selection of carbide burs. Turbo Carver also offers a good selection of carbide burs, including specialty burs like long dome pear burs and football burs.

Purchase dental diamond burs

Diamond-tipped dental burs are often faster than carbide burs. Look for the best quality you can find in durable diamond burs or in disposable, single use diamond burs. Again, there are many sizes and shapes available, so seek a distributor who can meet all your customers' needs.

I recommend: Abrasive Technology provides high quality diamond burs that are advertised as 50% faster than most other burs. Microcopy has a different selection of diamond burs, including single use (disposable) burs.

Remember dental bur blocks

The types of dental bur blocks you use is largely a matter of personal preference. There are magnetic dental bur blocks, dental bur boxes, dental bur stands, rotating circular blocks, blocks of wood, mesh, aluminum and much more. Buy dental bur blocks that are functional, meet your needs personally and are made of durable materials.

I recommend: DiaDent offers several types of bur blocks, including a germicide bur box, a bur sterilization box and bur sterilization bath. Palmero Health Care sells a variety of bur boxes made of Plexiglas, mesh and aluminum. Shor International provides bur boxes of wood, Lucite, bristle and more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you buy a larger quantity of burs & bur blocks for dentistry, or if you buy your burs and accessories along with other dentistry tools, many manufacturers and distributors will offer you free shipping.