A comparison of the effects of two burs on endodontic access in all-ceramic high lucite crowns

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the effects of diamond and tungsten carbide burs with respect to the preparation of access through all-ceramic crowns.

Thirty extracted maxillary premolars were restored with all-ceramic crowns. Each specimen was assigned to one of two groups: (1) access opening prepared with a round diamond bur; (2) access opening prepared with a carbide fissure bur. Access preparations were scanned by means of scanning electron microscopy; observed were defects categorized as edge chipping, microcracks, and fractures.

Edge chipping around the access was universal. Significant chipping (x > or = 0.1 m) was seen in 43% of access peripheries. Eleven percent of the crowns fractured. chi(2) analysis (P <.05) demonstrated no statistical difference between the bur groups. Results of a t test revealed no statistical difference in edge chipping between the two bur types.

All-ceramic crowns bonded to extracted maxillary premolars may experience edge chipping, microcracks, and fractures at equal rates whether access is prepared with a round medium coarse diamond bur or a tungsten carbide fissure bur.