Modern dentistry is now capable of repairing
the damage caused by caries (diseased tooth
tissue which causes the formation of cavities)
in a minimally invasive way. Besides the
removal of caried tissue, the comfort of the
patient is a constant concern, and new methods
of treatment are being constantly introduced.
The healthy preservation of the teeth in each patient is main objective
in dentistry. This aim associated with early diagnosis, safety and comfort
is the goal to be reached by all professionals who work in the field of dentistry.
Rotating instruments have been used for over 250 years and their
continuous technological development has greatly improved the efficiency
of cavity preparation. The first dental drills, made of steel, were
superseded by tungsten carbide. Nowadays, though, high speed drilling
with diamond burrs is the most common method. However, the
technologies applied in the production of conventional diamond drills are
somewhat limited due to the heterogeneous shape of diamond granules,
and their short-term durability. Added to that, they tend to remove a good
part of the healthy portion of the tooth structure