Dental Bur FAQ – Technical & Ordering Questions
Answers to the questions dentists and dental labs ask most about KOYO Dental burs — what they are, how they compare, and how to order. Looking to match a specific bur number? See our Bur Cross-Reference & Usage Guide.
Technical questions
What is the difference between a diamond bur and a carbide bur?
Diamond burs abrade material with bonded diamond grit; carbide burs cut with bladed flutes. In practice:
- Diamond — best for enamel, porcelain and zirconia, crown & bridge preparation, and finishing.
- Carbide — best for dentine, cavity preparation, sectioning crowns and removing old restorations; leaves a smoother margin on metal.
Many procedures use both: a diamond to reduce and shape, a carbide to refine or section.
What is the difference between KOYO zirconia removal burs and a standard carbide bur?
KOYO zirconia removal burs are diamond burs engineered to cut sintered zirconia and PFM crowns for removal — they stay aggressive on hard ceramic and resist clogging. A standard carbide bur can section a crown but dulls quickly on monolithic zirconia and generates more heat. For cutting off an existing zirconia restoration, use the zirconia removal diamonds; for general cavity prep and sectioning softer material, use carbides.
Which handpiece do KOYO burs fit?
KOYO burs are made to the ISO shank standard, so they fit standard handpieces by shank type:
- FG (friction grip) — standard high-speed handpieces (air-driven or electric).
- RA (right angle) — slow-speed contra-angle handpieces.
- HP (handpiece) — straight slow-speed handpieces.
The shank type is listed on every product page. (KOYO burs are chairside rotary instruments for handpieces — they are not CAD/CAM milling tools.)
Can KOYO burs be sterilized and reused?
Yes — KOYO burs withstand standard autoclave sterilization. Diamond burs are consumables: as the grit wears they cut slower, so most clinicians replace them after a set number of uses to protect cutting efficiency and patient comfort.
How long does a dental bur last, and when should I replace it?
Lifespan depends on the material being cut and the procedure. Replace a bur when you notice any of the following:
- Cutting slows or requires more pressure
- Vibration, chatter or whistling increases
- The diamond coating shows bare or shiny spots, or carbide blades look rounded
Because KOYO is factory-direct, replacing burs more often stays affordable — which protects prep quality.
How do I match my current bur (Brasseler, Komet, SS White) to a KOYO equivalent?
Every bur follows the universal ISO figure number. Ignore the brand prefix and read the figure number + head size (e.g. 856-016), then find that number on KOYO. Full method and a shape chart are in the Cross-Reference & Usage Guide, or email the number to us and we'll confirm.
What grit should I choose?
The diamond colour band tells you the grit: green = coarse (shaping/reduction), blue or no band = medium (all-round prep), red = fine (margin refinement and finishing), yellow = extra fine (pre-polish). KOYO marks grit with a suffix letter in the bur number (e.g. 801-022C = coarse).
Ordering, wholesale & shipping
Do you offer bulk or wholesale pricing?
Yes. KOYO sells factory-direct, with multi-pack pricing on most burs (e.g. packs of 10 and 100) and volume pricing for clinics and labs. For a wholesale quote, use our Bulk & Custom Order Inquiry or email Info@koyodental.com.
Can I request samples before ordering in volume?
For sample and trial requests ahead of a bulk order, contact Info@koyodental.com with the bur numbers you'd like to evaluate and your practice or lab details.
Where do you ship from and how fast?
KOYO ships from its US warehouse in Irvine, California, with same-day shipping on orders placed before 2 PM PST and free shipping on orders over $99.
What is your satisfaction policy?
KOYO burs are backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. See our Return Policy for details.
Still have a question? Email Info@koyodental.com — responses within one business day.