Wear mechanisms of diamond coated dental burs

Wear mechanisms of diamond burs consist of diamond wear-out, diamond pull-out, clogging by debris and degradation of the diamond binder material. These have been reported in the scientific literature and several discrepancies were found by the authors, which in itself, justifies an independent study. Diamond coated dental burs before and after use on human teeth were, therefore, compared in order to identify the predominant cause of wear. Fifteen new diamond coated burs were characterised using scanning electron microscopy before and after use on human teeth. The study focused on the condition of the same diamond particles before and after use. Clear evidence of diamond particle wear was detected rather than evidence of diamond pullout, clogging by debris or degradation of the diamond binder material.