Animal Health Solution - a Henry Schein Animal Health magazine for veterinary professionals
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1202796
February 2020 | Product and Promotions Guide | 5 More at: northamerica.covetrus.com/publications Besides an X-ray system, an air-driven, high- speed dental unit is a must for performing dental procedures. The ability of a high- speed handpiece to bur and section teeth at 400,000 rpms makes the procedures safer and more efficient. Faster, more efficient dental procedures mean less anesthesia time for the patient and less difficulty for the operator. A carbide bur in a high-speed handpiece replaces the inefficient diamond disc on a motor pack or dremel tool, long used in veterinary hospitals. Burs are used to section multi- rooted teeth, shape and remove alveolar bone, and provide access points in endodontic (root canal) procedures and restoratives. The 1-2-3 of burs Burs are comprised of three parts: There are three main types of shank: 1. FG (friction grip)—used in high-speed handpieces or friction grip low-speed contra angles. 2. RA (right angle)—used with a latch-type contra angle on a low-speed handpiece or motor pack (a safer option than using a diamond disc). 3. HP (handpiece)—used directly in low-speed handpieces or motor packs without a contra angle. Carbide burs are the most commonly used in veterinary dentistry and are meant for one-time use. Reusing carbide burs can quickly damage the turbine in the high-speed handpiece. Costing about $2 per bur, it is more efficient and hygienic to replace carbide burs after every dental procedure. Diamond and stone versions are reusable after cleaning and autoclaving. Burs come in different sizes. The smaller the number, the smaller the bur head. The bur type refers to the head shape or cutting end. The most commonly used carbide bur shapes are round and taper fissure. 1. Shank 2. Shaft 3. Head Round burs range from sizes ¼ to 8, and are mostly used for removing alveolar bone. When used with a light touch, burs can gently "paint away" alveolar bone and not penetrate the tooth. Plan on keeping an assortment of sizes on hand to deal with everything from small cats to large dogs. Fissure burs have longer cutting surfaces than round burs. This type only cuts on the side and has a flat, non- cutting end. Crosscut taper fissure burs are notched, to allow quicker removal of material. This bur type is used to section multi-rooted teeth, which simplifies extraction. The most useful crosscut burs for veterinarians are the FG 701 (#035605) or the FG 701L (#035615), which feature slightly longer cutting edges for larger teeth. If a bur with an extended reach is desired, some FG burs are available in surgical length. These burs are 25mm long, compared to 19mm. Burs should never be "pulled out a little" to reach farther, as this can damage the handpiece turbine. Diamond burs are also commonly used, mostly for smoothing bone and shaping teeth but also for advanced procedures such as crown preparation. A commonly used type for smoothing bone during extraction is a medium football (#050999). While round and fissure carbide and football diamond burs are the most commonly used in veterinary practice, other bur types include: Pear-shaped carbide burs — Used to cut enamel and dentin for cavity preparation and to prepare undercuts for restoration. Inverted cone carbide burs — Used for undercutting and restoration. Trimming and finishing burs — Used for completing restorations and trimming gingival margin. White stone burs —Used to finish composite restoration and to smooth minor enamel defects. Goldies —Used for orthodontics and rodent dentistry. National Pet Dental Health Month feature Round burs Fissure burs Diamond burs