CNC Machining in Dental Drill Bits
What is a Dental Drill Bit?
Dental drill bits have different shapes and designs which aids its unique application whether in teeth removal, finishing, and shaping. Common drill bit shapes are round, pear, flame, tapered fissure, and inverted cone burs.
Dental drill bits also have different sizes and diameters. The choice of drill bits size depends on the tooth’s type and location and the medical procedure. Drill bits with small diameters are suitable for working in tight spaces like the mouth’s corner. In contrast, large diameter drill bits aids rapid material removal.
Structures of Drill Bit Body
- Drill Tip
The drill tip is at the bit’s distal end and is responsible for the cutting action of the component. These include tool preparation, shaping, and removal. It comes in several shapes like pear, flame, and inverted cone, that determines its application.
- Drill Neck
The drill neck connects the drill tip to the shank. It aids the bit’s flexibility, control, and precision. The drill neck has variable designs, lengths, and diameters. These can affect its application. For example, longer necks allow dentists to reach farther and/or confined places
- Drill Bit Shank
The shank connects to the dental drill ensuring that the drill bit is stable and properly aligned. Different types include friction grip, latch-type, and straight handpiece shanks. A drill bit shank also has different designs and can include grooves and other features for better attachment.
- Drill Cooling System Components
Dental drills generate heat due to friction during use. Hence, some can have water and air delivery channels that act as cooling systems. The cooling system prevents overheating which can damage the tooth and surrounding tissues.
- Drill Bit Holding Parts
Drill bit holding parts include collets, chucks, and some locking mechanisms that ensure stable attachment and secure grip during drilling. They prevent the bits from dislodging during use making it safer.
Steps to Fabricating a Dental Drill Bit Using CNC Machining
- Designing the Drill Bit
Design a 3D model of the drill bit using CAD software like AutoDesk after analysing the parts application, materials makeup, and patient anatomical features. The CAD model should indicate the part’s dimensions, shape, geometry, and configuration.
- Material Selection
Choose a hard, wear-resistant, and biocompatible material (since it is an oral environment). Examples include steel, titanium, and stainless steel. Afterward, cut the material into blanks of the right size using a cutting tool and clean it to remove contaminants.
- Programming the CNC Machine
Set up the CNC machine and generate the tool paths and G-code for the machining process. You should also specify the cutting speeds and feed rates for a smoother process.
- Machining
Machining is in two stages: rough and fine machining. In rough machining, the CNC machine using techniques like milling, turning, and grinding removes excess material from the blank to form a rough drill bit.
The choice of technique depends on the drill bits design. You cna make a well informed decision by having recommendation from reputable CNC machining service providers like Zintillon.
Fine machining involves using CNC grinding to get the drill bits specification to the desired specification. For drill bits with cooling systems, internal coolant channels can be created using CNC drilling, milling, or EDM processes.
- Surface Treatment
The machined dental drill bit should undergo surface treatments for better performance or aesthetics. The most common surface treatment is coating with diamond or tungsten. After surface treatment, quality control teams should check to see if it meets the specifications before packaging labeling occurs.
Common Materials for Drill Bit Body
The best materials for a CNC machined dental drill bit should be after careful consideration of properties and proper recommendation. Examples include:
- Steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon applicable in making a drill bit body due to its exceptional hardness and durability. Its carbon content is responsible for its strength and hardness.
- Titanium
Titanium alloys is a lightweight metal whose corrosion resistance and biocompatibility make it a top design for making dental bits. Like the others, patients should not experience teeth damage during use. Furthermore, titanium has a longer lifespan and durability.
- Stainless Steel
Stainless steel alloys are strong, durable, and biocompatible. Its corrosion resistance due to the presence of chromium and nickel allows it to function on exposure to moisture and saliva. Furthermore, it does not irritate the oral tissues and structures leading to a wide acceptance in dental drill bit manufacturing.
Conclusion
CNC machining is a process applicable in dental drill bit manufacturing. There are many CNC machining techniques suitable for making the part irrespective of the design and this article showed the role of CNC machining in the process and the structure of the part.
