Dental Lab Burs - Model Casting Technique

Which Model Casting Lab Bur Do You Need?

Start with the step in the casting workflow, then open the matching sub-collection; the complete list of Busch numbers by instrument type follows further down the page.

Carbide burs and cutters

Category	What it covers
Dental Lab Carbide Bur Collection	HP carbide burs and cutters: round, fissure, inverted cone, bud, flame, pear and more
Double Cut (Crosscut) Carbide Cutters	carbide cutters in coarse to super-fine double-cut toothings
Carbide Flame Cutters for Dental Labs	flame-shaped carbide cutters
Left-Handed Carbide Cutters	left-hand cut carbide cutters
MIDI Carbide Burs	compact MIDI carbide burs
SHORTIE Carbide Burs	short-shank SHORTIE carbide burs

Diamond burs

Category	What it covers
LongLife Sintered Diamond Lab Burs	sintered diamond burs and disc
HP Dental Lab Diamond Burs	HP diamond lab burs

Abrasives, wheels and cutting-off discs

Category	What it covers
Abrasives for Medium-Hard Metal Alloys	mounted abrasives for alloys
Abrasive Discs, Stones & Wheels	abrasive discs, stones and wheels
Corundum Abrasive Wheels	pink unmounted wheels
Dental Laboratory Lathe Wheels	lathe wheels
Fiber Cutting-Off Discs	fiber-reinforced cutting-off discs

Pre-polishing and polishing

Category	What it covers
Pre-Polishers for Model Casting	steel wheel pre-polisher for chrome-cobalt
Universal Laboratory Pre-Polishers	universal pre-polishers
2 Step Laboratory Polishers for Metal Alloys	two-step alloy polishers
Dental Lab Polishers	laboratory polishers
Polishing Soft Buff Wheels	brushes, buffs and soft wheels

Understanding Model Casting in the Dental Lab

The model casting process demands a thorough understanding of material behavior, rotary instrument selection, and controlled pressure application. Dental lab burs are engineered in a variety of shapes — including round, fissure, flame, and wheel — each designed to serve a specific function during the casting and finishing workflow. Using the appropriate bur for each stage minimizes material waste, reduces the risk of model distortion, and preserves the integrity of critical anatomical details.

Choosing the Right Burs for Casting Work

When working with cast metal frameworks, stone models, or resin-based materials, the choice of bur directly influences the efficiency of the Dental Lab Burs - Model Casting Technique. Carbide and diamond burs are commonly employed depending on the material hardness and the degree of surface refinement required. Proper RPM settings, adequate cooling, and consistent hand pressure are equally important factors in achieving a clean, accurate result.

Best Practices for Precision and Longevity

• Always match bur type to the specific material being worked on
• Maintain recommended rotational speeds to avoid overheating
• Inspect burs regularly and replace worn instruments promptly
• Use light, intermittent strokes to preserve model detail
• Store burs properly to maintain sharpness and prevent contamination

Find a Model Casting Instrument by Busch Number

Every product currently in this collection, grouped by instrument type. Open a group and select a Busch number to see the full specification.

Carbide burs, saws and wheels (99)

1 003	1 004	1 005	1 006
1 007	1 008	1 009	1 010
1 012	1 014	1 016	1 018
1 021	1 023	1 025	1 027
1SXM 010	1SXM 012	1SXM 014	1SXM 016
1SXM 018	1SXM 021	1SXM 023	2 006
2 007	2 008	2 009	2 010
2 012	2 014	2 016	2 018
2 023	3 012	21 008	21 009
21 010	21 012	21 014	21 016
21 018	21 021	21 023	21L 010
21L 012	21L 014	21R 010	21R 012
21R 014	23 008	23 009	23 010
23 012	23 014	23 016	23L 010
23L 012	23R 008	23R 010	23R 012
23R 014	23R 016	23R 018	31 008
31 009	31 010	31 012	31 014
31 016	31 018	31 021	31 023
31L 010	31L 012	31R 009	31R 010
31R 012	31R 014	31R 016	31R 018
33 008	33 009	33 010	33 012
33 014	33 016	33 018	33 021
33 023	33L 010	33L 012	33L 016
33R 010	33R 012	33R 014	33R 016
33R 018	45 018	231 023

Carbide cutters (51)

421X 027	421X 031	421X 040	421X 050
421X 060	423FX 060	423X 060	424FX 040
424FX 060	424X 040	424X 060	424X 070
424X 080	425FX 040	425FX 060 HP	425FX 060 HP
425X 040	425X 060 HP	425X 060 HP	425X 070
426FX 023	426FX 060	426X 023	426X 060
427FX 029	427FX 060	427X 029	427X 060
428FX 023	428FX 060	428X 023	428X 060
429FX 031	429FX 040	429FX 045 HP	429FX 045 HP
429FX 060 HP	429FX 060 HP	429X 031	429X 040
429X 045 HP	429X 045 HP	429X 060 HP	429X 060 HP
431FX 023	431X 023	432FX 023	432X 023
433FX 023	433X 023	433X 060

MIDI carbide burs (18)

M 426FFX 016	M 426FFX 023	M 426FX 016	M 426FX 023
M 426X 016	M 426X 023	M 428FFX 016	M 428FFX 023
M 428FX 016	M 428FX 023	M 428X 016	M 428X 023
M 433FFX 016	M 433FFX 023	M 433FX 016	M 433FX 023
M 433X 016	M 433X 023

SHORTIE carbide burs (32)

S 420FX 018	S 421FX 010	S 421FX 014	S 421FX 023
S 421X 014	S 421X 023	S 422FX 014	S 422FX 023
S 422X 014	S 422X 023	S 423FX 014	S 423FX 023
S 423X 014	S 423X 023	S 426FX 014	S 426FX 023
S 426X 014	S 426X 023	S 427FX 023	S 427X 023
S 428FX 023	S 428X 023	S 430FX 023	S 430X 023
S 431FX 014	S 431FX 023	S 431X 014	S 431X 023
S 433FX 014	S 433FX 023	S 433X 014	S 433X 023

LongLife sintered diamond burs (13)

1351 050	1837 031	1850 031	1881 050
1893 050	1941 210	3351 050	3368 016
3818 080	3850 031	3859 031	3859 050
3862 031

Cutting-off discs (5)

438 220	438 220	438 400	438 400
438T 260

Abrasives and wheels (54)

601 030	602 040	603 050	609 060
613 065	619 050	620 050	623 060
624 060	627 060	632 065	633 085
636 025	637 025	638 030	639 035
640 050	646 018	648 020	649 025
650 028	651 033	652 033	656 040
657 050	658 065	661 030	662 035
663 050	665 065	666 033	667 040
671 050	677 050	682 060	703 130
711 080	712 095	716 160	721 125
722 160	731 065	732 050	733 035
743 135	744 110	749 130	755 060
760 065	767 160	772 190	777 220
798 750	798 750

Polishers and pre-polishers (15)

9602 220	9602G 220	9603 220	9603G 220
9605 030	9641 220	9644 250	9660 220
9702 145	9702G 145	9704 050	9706 055
9706G 055	9712 145	9716 055

Brushes, buffs, cloth and paste (8)

9636 190	9638 190	9642 220	9643 220
9646	9736 140	9738 140	9738 220

Clinical Use

The instruments in this collection follow the model casting (cast partial denture framework) workflow in the laboratory: carbide cutters and burs for trimming and contouring castings, fiber-reinforced cutting-off discs for cutting and separating on metal alloy castings, mounted abrasives and wheels for grinding, and pre-polishers, polishers, brushes and buffs for the final finish. Nearly all items have an HP shank for the straight handpiece.

Care and Reconditioning

Clean, disinfect and sterilize the burs, abrasives and polishers between uses following the manufacturer instructions, and replace an instrument once it loses cutting or polishing performance or shows damage. Our Dental Bur Reprocessing & Sterilization Guide covers the workflow for Busch rotary instruments; maximum speeds are in the Dental Bur Speed Chart.

Compare With

Related Busch collections: Dental Lab Burs for Metal Alloy Technology, Dental Lab Burs for Model Making, Dental Lab Burs for Plastics Technology, Dental Lab Abrasives for Hard Metal Alloys, and Busch Dental Lab Bur Collection.

Reference resources: Bur Comparison Chart · Speed Chart · Color Coding & ISO Guide · Glossary

FAQ

What types of burs are most commonly used in model casting? Carbide and diamond burs are the most widely used in dental lab casting work, selected based on the material and the level of surface detail required.

How does the Dental Lab Burs - Model Casting Technique improve restoration quality? Applying the correct technique ensures dimensional accuracy, smooth surface finishes, and reduced finishing time, all of which contribute to a better-fitting, higher-quality restoration.

How often should dental lab burs be replaced? Burs should be inspected after each use and replaced when signs of wear, dulling, or damage are observed to maintain consistent results.