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Types of Dental Drills
During training, and also in routine practice, various dental materials are used to aid in the work. Dental drills are used with so-called low- and high-speed motors, which produce rotations that promote cutting and grinding, in order to shape restorations and remove decayed or unsupported tissue.
Restorative dental treatment depends on the way we use the available materials. Therefore, choosing the right drill for each purpose will provide better results in terms of wear, contour, shape, and finish.
Dental procedures are meticulously performed by dentists. Using faulty materials undermines the intended application of the technique, often compromising the proper procedure prescribed by the dentist.
For this purpose, several products are available on the market, each with its own purpose. Check out the types of drills and their most recommended applications below.
Carbide Ball Drills
They are used to remove decayed tissue, helping to create a contour in the dental tissue, creating an initial cavity shape, in addition to being used for access and removal in the pulp chamber.
When choosing a spherical drill, it becomes safer when considering cavity removal and access, as it does not have a tapered tip, allowing greater safety during the procedure, avoiding, to a greater degree, any accidental exposure.
However, carbide burs also have "fissure" features and are commonly used for removing the axial wall during cavity preparation. They are made of stainless steel and have a tungsten carbide tip, providing high cutting power without a high risk of fracture.
Spherical Diamond Drill Bits
Generally used when performing endodontic access, especially in porcelain restorations. Because porcelain is a friable material, using this type of bur allows for fewer scratches, cracks, and less fragility when in contact with the material during application.
This type of drill is also used for enamel and dentin grinding, with the motor running at low speeds. If used at high speeds, they should be accompanied by air/water jets during grinding to cool the area being drilled, preventing temperature rises that could damage the tooth.
They are made of stainless steel, with an impregnated diamond active tip, with high cutting power.
Transmetal Drills
The tooth may be restored with a material and must be accessed during the procedure. In this case, transmetal burs aid access to amalgam, metal, or porcelain restorations, as this type of bur has greater cutting power.
In their construction, transmetal drills have a long neck, which facilitates visualization when removing the necessary materials during the procedure in question.
Dental Drill Formats
Each bur represents a different shape relative to the active tip, which is responsible for grinding down tooth tissue and/or restorative material. These can be spherical, conical, cylindrical, flame, wheel, pear, oval, ringed, and special types.
Furthermore, diameters and shape variations determine each category. They can be classified according to the type of shaft, the grain size of the active tip, and its diameter.
Drill Bit Classification by Shank Type
- "Friction Grip" drills: used next to the engine at high speed;
- "Right Angle" drills: used with the contra-angle;
- "Hand Piece" drills: are used together with the hand piece.
Classification of Drill Bits by Color
Each type of drill bit is indicated by a color on its shank. Depending on the color, its purpose and grain size vary. Check out each color used and its purpose:
- Black: extra coarse grain; fast and deep cutting power; indication of wear on enamel and dentin;
- Green: extra-coarse grain; fast cutting power; indication of wear on enamel and dentin;
- Blue: medium grain; indicated for universal wear, on enamel, dentin and restorative materials;
- Red: fine grain; indicated for restorative pre-finishing;
- Yellow: ultra-fine grain; indicated for finishing and pre-polishing in restorative resins, without cutting power.
Drill Bit Classification by Active Tip Diameter
According to ISO, each drill bit is classified according to its active tip, indicating the different diameters in terms of models and shapes.
Practical Summary
Check out the options for the best application in your dental treatment:
- Carbide Drill:
- Removal of decayed tissue
- Removal of the pulp chamber roof
- Cavity preparation (initial contouring)
- Bone tissue removal
- Dental cut/section
- Metal wear
- Diamond Drill:
- Tissue wear (enamel/dentin)
- Composite resin wear
- Amalgam/metal wear
- Ceramic/porcelain wear
- Adjustment for prosthetic parts
Conclusion
Finally, given the many options presented to dentists every day, it is important to be up to date to make the best choice, ensuring high quality dental procedures.
