National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the National Dental Assisting Exam with comprehensive quiz questions, including multiple choice and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Restorative burs are typically made from which of the following materials?

Steel
Stainless steel
Tungsten carbide
Diamond grit

The correct answer is: Steel

Restorative burs are commonly made from tungsten carbide. This choice is favored for its durability and ability to maintain a sharp cutting edge, making it effective for various restorative procedures in dentistry. Tungsten carbide burs can be used in high-speed handpieces and are particularly useful for cutting and shaping hard materials like enamel and dental materials. While steel or stainless steel can be used for some types of burs, they typically lack the hardness and longevity of tungsten carbide. Steel burs are often less expensive and may be used for specific, less demanding procedures but do not perform as well in terms of wear resistance. Diamond grit burs, on the other hand, are generally used for finishing and polishing rather than cutting, as they excel at abrading rather than carving or drilling. Understanding the material composition of different bur types helps dental professionals select the appropriate tool for a given procedure, ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in restorative practices.