HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What are rotary burs primarily used for?

1. To extract teeth efficiently

2. To gain access to a root canal through restoration and crowns

3. To apply dental sealants

4. To polish teeth after cleaning

The correct answer is: To gain access to a root canal through restoration and crowns

Rotary burs are primarily used for gaining access to a root canal through restoration and crowns because they are dental tools designed for cutting hard tissue, such as enamel and dentin. They enable dental professionals to efficiently remove tooth structure in a controlled manner, making it easier to access the underlying root canal system for treatment. The specific design and shape of rotary burs allow them to penetrate into the tooth effectively, creating the necessary openings for further procedures like root canal therapy. While extracting teeth is a necessary dental procedure, it typically involves surgical instruments rather than rotary burs, which are more about precision cutting. Applying dental sealants is done using a different set of tools and require a smoother surface finish that rotary burs do not provide. Lastly, polishing teeth after cleaning is usually performed with polishing cups or discs rather than rotary burs, as these are designed specifically for that purpose.