Description
Instruments:
Choosing the right polishing instrument influences the smoothness, gloss and final surface quality of a restoration. This page introduces the main types of dental burs and rotary instruments, the British manufacturer Prima Dental, and the features and applications of its Prima Illume polishing range.
What Is a Dental Bur and What Is It Used For?
A dental bur is a rotary instrument fitted to a turbine, contra-angle or straight handpiece, depending on its shank type. Dental burs are used to cut, prepare, shape and finish tooth structure and restorative materials. Applications include cavity preparation, crown preparation and, with dedicated models, oral surgery.
Rotary polishing instruments, sometimes referred to as “polishing burs”, are used to reduce surface roughness and improve the gloss of teeth and restorations.
Types of Dental Burs and Rotary Instruments
Dental burs and rotary instruments can be classified by the material of their working part and their intended application. The main groups include:
– Carbide burs: These have tungsten carbide cutting heads. Depending on their design, they are used to prepare tooth structure, cut certain metals and restorative materials, or finish restorations.
– Diamond burs: These have diamond-coated working surfaces and use abrasive action to prepare tooth structure and adjust certain restorative materials.
– Steel burs: Usually made from hardened steel, suitable models are used to remove carious dentine and perform selected stages of cavity preparation.
– Finishing and polishing instruments: Finishing burs refine contours and reduce irregularities, while abrasive polishers further smooth surfaces and improve gloss.
Finishing and polishing instruments are grouped by application, so this category overlaps with classifications based on material.
About Prima Dental
Prima Dental is a British manufacturer of dental instruments based in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England. Its heritage in dental manufacturing dates back approximately 150 years, and its products are supplied to more than 90 countries. The product range presented in its catalogue includes carbide, diamond and steel burs, Prima Illume polishing instruments and dental mirrors.
Prima Illume Dental Polishing Instruments
Prima Illume instruments are designed for finishing and polishing a range of dental materials. Their abrasive particles and binding materials vary according to the intended application, allowing clinicians to select a polishing system suited to the restoration material and the required surface finish.
The ceramic polishing system uses diamond particles in a water-resistant binder. The zirconia system incorporates specially adapted diamond grains, which the manufacturer describes as providing increased durability when polishing zirconia restorations. These material-specific formulations are an important consideration when selecting a polisher.
Types of Prima Illume Polishing Instruments
The Prima Illume range includes:
– Composite polishing: Includes the 2 Step Composite system and the sterile, single-use Composite Reveal and Composite Shine models for polishing composite restorations.
– Alloy polishing — 3 Step Basic Alloy: A three-step system using silicon carbide abrasive for polishing gold, amalgam and compatible alloys.
– Orthodontic adhesive removal — Bracket Removal: Dedicated abrasive instruments for removing residual orthodontic adhesive after debonding.
– Zirconia polishing — 3 Step Zirconia: A three-step system for progressively refining and polishing zirconia restoration surfaces.
– Ceramic polishing — 3 Step Ceramic: A three-step system for finishing and polishing compatible ceramic restorations.
– Acrylic polishing — 3 Step Denture Acrylic: A three-step system for polishing acrylic materials used in dentures and orthodontic appliances.
– Green and white polishing stones: Abrasive stones available in different shapes and shank types. Their suitability should be checked against the specifications of the individual product.
How to Choose the Right Dental Polisher
Prima Illume instruments are available in various shapes, diameters, lengths and abrasive grades. Available specifications and polishing sequences differ between systems.
The main selection criteria are:
– Restorative material: Choose a polisher indicated for the material being treated, such as composite, ceramic, zirconia, alloy or acrylic.
– Polishing stage: Select the appropriate abrasive grade for the required stage, from initial surface refinement to final gloss. Follow the recommended sequence for multi-step systems.
– Instrument shape and diameter: Point, cup and disc forms provide different access options. Select the shape and size that suit the restoration’s contours and working area.
– Shank type: Right-angle (RA) instruments fit compatible latch-type contra-angles; friction-grip (FG) instruments fit compatible friction-grip handpieces; handpiece (HP) instruments fit compatible straight handpieces. Not every system is available with every shank type.
– Single-use or reusable design: Single-use instruments must not be reused. Reusable instruments must be cleaned, disinfected and sterilised as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions
Follow the instructions for each instrument regarding operating speed, applied pressure and cooling requirements to maintain polishing performance and control frictional heat.
Prima Dental’s Exclusive Representative in Iran
Mehta Teb Sina is Prima Dental’s exclusive representative in Iran and has been importing and supplying its products for several years.
Contact Mehta Teb Sina to receive the Prima Dental catalogue and enquire about pricing and availability of Prima Illume polishing instruments.
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