Ceramic Osteotomy Burs: What is Your Opinion?

I have used ceramic burs as part of my implant armamentarium for some years now and can say that they are as nice as they can possibly be, dont clutter, dont basculate last long and cut clean and staight. Having said that I just use them in some cases, or as my 2.0 drill due to the lack of internal irrigation(at least for the ones I have). Advantages ... just very fast and accurate cutting. dont really see any other except that they are clearly recomended if placing zirc implants. Cheers

I have used both types and from my experience, the tactile feedback during the osteotomy isn't the same. Ceramic burs are lighter. As a result, drilling an osteotomy with the ceramic burs feel a bit more "dull". The implant companies usually will only supply the first 2 sizes (2-3mm). Either way, as long as the osteotomy does not heat up and is sufficiently irrigated, it wouldn't matter what you used.

I am considering the spin off , of strauman , which has this system, but has not mentioned the fact that burs are ceramic. Do they cut as efficiently ? I don't know. Bv

The main advantage of ceramic burs is that their cutting edge dulls very slowly as opposed to stainless steel burs which dull rapidly after 2 or 3 uses. Ceramic burs can be reused innumerable times without loosing it edge. I believe that ceramics should be the future but the suppliers will prefer to supply stainless steel for the sake of rapid turnover.

My opinion is, if the top five implant companies in the world don't have them( ceramic burs ), then they probably are not ready to be introduced on a scale, that would effect us yet. I keep pretty tight company , with these people and the topic of conversation, has yet to be, inefficient cutting . Not one of these companies, suggest limiting usage of anything other than the primary drill. Bv

BV. I am touched by your faith in the top five implant companies in the world, but I have to say that I do not share it. The top five business machine companies let us down until Steve came along. Ask your son. My faith is in the known science of ceramics and the eternal one. Check out the link below. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=206299&sectioncode=26

BV, I agree with you. Why experiment at the expense of the patient, the cost etc.

BV. I am touched by your faith in the top five implant companies in the world, but I have to say that I do not share it. The top five business machine companies let us down until Steve came along. My faith is in the known science of ceramics and the eternal one. Check out the link below. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=206299&sectioncode=26

Well dr. Chow, when our "Steve" comes, I will pay attention, but I have had pretty good success with 3 of the top five? I guess until then, the top five are positioned as such, for a reason. I'm always up for improvement and do appreciate the explanation. I hope our readers, both patients and doctors, take a minute, to take in your addendum. By the way, I like to think I have always practiced under the premise of the " ethos ". Job's made good work of pointing out the obvious, on that one. Isn't that what true genius is?? Bv

At present implant drills are made up of s.steel alloys,s.steel coated titanium nitride,recently oxide Zr based ceramic.The combination of oxide of Zr with ytrium,Mg/Al permits the stabilization of Zr,presenting thermal stability,low thermal conductivity,higher resistance to fracture and wear and with elastic modulus similar to steel.Ceramic drills may reduce thermal heat during implant site preparation after several uses, is of higher clinical revelence as it may directly affect the implant site survival and success.