Disposable Diamonds for Cutting Crown Preps?

Dr. H. asks:

ndcolors1.jpgI have always used the expensive, reusable diamonds for cutting crown preps. But the price of these keep going up into the stratosphere. Sometimes I can only use these diamonds once, because they get so clogged up. I have tried various ways of cleaning these out, but the bottom line is that after you use these once and autoclave them, they are not nearly as sharp as they were the first time they were used. I am thinking about switching to disposable diamonds like NeoDiamond [Microcopy Dental] because I have heard these recommended at continuing education courses. What are you all doing out there? Reusable or disposable diamonds? Do the reusable diamonds cut that much better?

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4 Responses to “Disposable Diamonds for Cutting Crown Preps?”

  1. docf on May 29th, 2008 6:53 am

    Am J Dent. 2004 Apr;17(2):109-12.
    Surface roughness of resin composite prepared by single-use and multi-use diamonds.

    Results:

    “Sterilization and reuse of all types of diamond finishing burs resulted in equal or rougher resin composite surfaces after final polish when compared to final polish surfaces that were initially finished with as-received diamonds. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surface roughness of a resin composite prepared with single- and multi-use diamond finishing burs was equivalent when compared at the final polish.”

  2. Russ Fitton on May 29th, 2008 7:18 pm

    We use disposable diamonds because they are more cost efficient. Their cut is just slightly slower than say a Two-Striper on the first cut but by the second cut with a Two-Striper you probably won’t notice a difference. Along with the cost of the more expensive diamonds add in the cost of cleaning and sterilizing PLUS the cost of an assistant throwing a few of them out or losing them by mistake. Now the disposables make more sense. We use electric hand pieces and you won’t believe how smooth a cut you get with these.

  3. John Clark on May 30th, 2008 6:26 am

    Have you thought about using a protein digester to clean your burs (prior to ultrasonic cleaning and sterilsing) such as Empower?

  4. Sashipurna on June 15th, 2008 3:47 pm

    may i know more about these disposable diamonds

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