Cutting Efficiency of Welded Diamond and Vacuum Diffusion Technology Burs and Conventional Electroplated Burs on the Surface Changes of the Teeth – An In vitro Study

CONTEXT: Welded diamond and vacuum diffusion technology (WDVDT) burs in comparison to electroplated burs claim to approach the solution of dental hard tissues by increased cutting efficiency, decreasing the overheating of oral tissues and thus reducing the microcracks on the prepared tooth surface. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the cutting efficiency of two different rotary diamond burs used for tooth preparation with their repeated usage on the surface changes of the prepared tooth. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This in vitro comparative study evaluated the cutting efficiency and surface changes of the teeth prepared with conventional electroplated burs and WDVDT burs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty freshly extracted, healthy, noncarious human premolars were divided into Group A and Group B with 15 each, and were further subdivided into three subgroups depending on the different usage intervals as first, fifth, and tenth (A1–A3 and B1–B3). The surface of each prepared specimen was evaluated quantitatively using a surface profilometer, and qualitative analysis was done using a scanning electron microscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Two-way ANOVA and Turkey's multiple post hoc tests were used. RESULTS: The mean surface roughness of Groups A1, A2, and A3 was 1.50 ± 0.40, 2.39 ± 0.39, and 2.65 ± 0.65 Ra, respectively. The mean surface roughness of Groups B1, B2, and B3 was 0.76 ± 0.23, 0.92 ± 0.10, and 1.24 ± 0.07 Ra, respectively. The mean surface roughness of the prepared tooth surface was significantly higher in Group A and its subgroups when compared to that of Group B and its subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that surface roughness was considerably lesser and also had less wear and increased cutting efficiency of tooth preparations using burs made with WDVDT compared to the preparations using conventional electroplated burs.