Dental Bur Cross-Reference & Usage Guide
Dental Bur Cross-Reference & Usage Guide
Every dental bur KOYO Dental sells follows the international ISO 6360 figure-number system — the same numbering language used by Brasseler, Komet, SS White, Meisinger, Diatech and other major brands. That means you can match the bur you already use to a KOYO equivalent simply by reading the number. This guide explains how to read a bur number, how to match it across brands, which shape and grit to choose for each procedure, and answers the questions we hear most.
How to read a dental bur number (ISO 6360)
The ISO 6360 standard describes a bur in a sequence of three-digit groups. For everyday use, three pieces matter most: the shank, the shape (figure number), and the head diameter. A diamond bur also carries a grit indicator.
| Part | What it tells you | Common values |
|---|---|---|
| Shank | Which handpiece the bur fits | FG / 314 = friction grip (high-speed); RA / 204 = right-angle (slow-speed); HP / 104 = straight handpiece |
| Shape (figure number) | The geometry of the head — round, taper, flame, etc. | e.g. 801 = round, 856 = round-end taper, 862/863 = flame, 379 = football/egg |
| Head diameter | Maximum head width in tenths of a millimetre | e.g. "-016" = 1.6 mm, "-023" = 2.3 mm |
| Grit (diamonds) | Abrasive coarseness for cutting vs. finishing | Suffix letter + colour band — see grit table below (e.g. 801-022C = coarse) |
Worked example — a bur labelled 856-016 is a round-end tapered diamond, 1.6 mm head, on an FG shank: a classic crown-prep bur. Any brand's 856-016 is the same shape and size, so KOYO's 856 round-end taper is a direct equivalent.
Brand cross-reference: how to match any bur to KOYO
Because the figure number is shared across manufacturers, the figure number is your cross-reference key. Most brands simply add their own prefix or grit suffix around the same ISO figure:
- Brasseler USA diamonds are typically written as 6 + figure (e.g. 6856), with grit suffixes like C/M/F.
- Komet uses the ISO figure with a leading material digit and a separate ISO grit code.
- SS White, Meisinger, Diatech, NTI publish the ISO figure number directly on the bur and packaging.
To find your KOYO equivalent: ignore the brand prefix, read the figure number + head size (e.g. "856-016"), then search that number on KOYO Dental. The shape, size and grit options match. If you are unsure, send us the bur number and we will confirm the equivalent.
Bur shape reference
The shapes KOYO carries, the ISO figure family they belong to, and what each is used for:
| Shape | Typical ISO figure | Primary use | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | 801 / 802 | Caries removal, access openings, undercuts | Round Burs |
| Round-end taper | 856 / 850 | Crown & bridge prep, axial reduction | Round End Taper |
| Flat-end taper | 847 / 845 | Crown prep with a defined shoulder/margin | Flat End Taper |
| Flame | 862 / 863 / 888 | Interproximal, gingival margins, finishing | Flame Burs |
| Football / egg | 379 / 368 | Occlusal reduction, lingual surfaces of anteriors | Football Burs |
| Needle | 806 / 858 | Fine detailing, narrow interproximal access | Needle Burs |
| Pear | 830 | Conservative Class I/II cavity prep | Pear Burs |
| Inverted cone | 805 / 010 | Undercuts, retention, amalgam prep | Inverted Cone |
| Straight / tapered / round-end fissure | 557 / 701 / others (carbide) | Cavity prep, sectioning, bulk removal | Carbide Burs |
Diamond grit & colour-band guide
The colour ring on a diamond bur is universal across brands and tells you the grit — from aggressive cutting to fine polishing. KOYO denotes grit with a suffix letter in the bur number (for example, 801-022C is coarse, 379-023F is fine).
| Colour band | Grit | Approx. particle size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Super coarse | ~180 µm | Rapid bulk reduction, crown removal |
| Green | Coarse (C) | ~150 µm | Contouring and shaping during prep |
| Blue / no band | Medium (standard) | ~106 µm | All-round crown prep and reduction |
| Red | Fine (F) | ~46 µm | Margin refinement, finishing |
| Yellow | Extra fine (EF) | ~25 µm | Pre-polish, very smooth surfaces |
| White | Ultra fine | ~15 µm | Final polishing |
Which bur for which procedure
| Procedure | Recommended bur(s) | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Crown & bridge preparation | 856 round-end taper (medium) for reduction; 847 flat-end taper for a shoulder margin; red-band taper for finishing | Crown Prep Essentials |
| Cavity preparation | 330/245 pear or 557 straight fissure carbide; 801 round for caries removal | Common Carbide |
| Zirconia / PFM crown removal | Specialised coarse diamonds and crown-cutting carbides designed to cut zirconia without overheating | Zirconia Crown Removal |
| Finishing & polishing | Fine (red) and extra-fine (yellow) flame and taper diamonds | Finishing & Polishing |
| Endodontic access | Round diamonds/carbides and tapered access burs | Endo Access Kit |
| Surgical / oral surgery | Surgical-length burs for bone and sectioning | Surgical Burs |
Frequently asked questions
What is the KOYO equivalent of a Brasseler 6856 bur?
Brasseler's 6856 is the ISO figure 856 round-end tapered diamond. KOYO carries the same 856 round-end taper in matching head sizes and grits — see Round End Taper Burs. Match the head-size suffix (e.g. -016) and grit band for a direct replacement.
How do I read a dental bur number?
Read it in three parts: the shank tells you the handpiece (FG = high-speed friction grip), the figure number tells you the shape (e.g. 801 = round, 856 = round-end taper), and the final digits give the head diameter in tenths of a millimetre (-016 = 1.6 mm). A diamond also has a grit colour band: blue/no band = medium, green = coarse, red = fine.
What is the difference between a diamond bur and a carbide bur?
Diamond burs abrade material with diamond grit and excel at cutting enamel, porcelain and zirconia and at finishing. Carbide burs cut with bladed flutes and are efficient for dentine, cavity preparation, sectioning crowns and removing old restorations. Many procedures use both.
Which bur is best for crown preparation?
A medium-grit 856 round-end tapered diamond is the workhorse for axial reduction. Use an 847 flat-end taper when you want a defined shoulder margin, then refine with a fine (red-band) taper. See Crown Prep Essentials.
What do the colours on dental burs mean?
On diamonds the colour ring indicates grit: black = super coarse, green = coarse, blue or no band = medium, red = fine, yellow = extra fine, white = ultra fine. Coarser grits cut faster; finer grits leave a smoother surface for finishing.
Are KOYO burs compatible with my handpiece?
KOYO burs are made to the ISO shank standard. FG (friction grip) burs fit standard high-speed handpieces, RA burs fit slow-speed contra-angles, and HP burs fit straight handpieces. Check the shank type listed on each product.
Can't find a number? Email Info@koyodental.com with the bur number you currently use and we'll confirm the KOYO equivalent.