I know we all have our favorites in dentistry. We have our favorite bonding materials, our favorite handpieces, etc. One of my favorite burs is the 330 carbide bur. I use it for many things.

This bur can be used for prepping direct restorations. Because the length of the cutting head of the bur, I use it for depth cuts in tooth structure when doing indirect CEREC restorations. I sink the head of the bur into the tooth, especially paying attention to pits and grooves where dentists have the propensity of not reducing well enough.

Another great use of this bur is in the cutting off an old PFM crowns. We all know our crowns ALWAYS have enough occlusal thickness (wink, wink). But what about when we remove a PFM that was done by another provider? After cutting through the porcelain, I cut just through the metal on the buccal and lingual surfaces. On the occlusal surface, I make sure the head of the bur goes all the way through the metal, both buccal-lingual and mesial-distal directions. Then when I pop off the crown, I have perfect depth cuts to make sure my CEREC restoration has proper thickness. This technique is especially helpful when redoing a restoration using BioCopy method. I know I always have enough reduction.

So, give this small but mighty bur a try. I’m sure you will then agree it is the hardest working bur in your CEREC arsenal!