Characterization of wear of tungsten carbide burs

On the basis of this study, the following conclusions can be made:--Although the primary cause of the diminution of cutting efficiency when composite restorations are cut is due to abrasion, a secondary cause is the adhesion of the melted resin to the flutes.--Amalgams and tooth structures cause significantly less wear to burs than composite restorations.--The design of burs currently used is probably a poor choice to remove composite restorations.