Aim : In this study, a mass-loss method was used to verify whether
bovine enamel has the same wear pattern as human enamel in cutting
efficiency tests of diamond burs. Methods: Seventy-two teeth were used:
36 human molars (HT) and 36 bovine mandibular central incisors (BT).
The enamel of the teeth was cut using diamond bur #1092 attached to a
high-speed handpiece under controlled pressure (50-80 g). Each bur
(n=12) cut for a total of 72 min, divided into 6 periods of 12 min each
(12-min, 24-min, 36-min, 48-min, 60-min, and 72-min). The amount of
enamel removed was determined by the difference between pre- and
post-cut tooth masses. Results: The mean amounts (g) of enamel removed
were: HT- 12-min=0.11; 24-min=0.12; 36-min=0.11; 48-min=0.11;
60-min=0.10; 72-min=0.12; BT- 12-min=0.12; 24-min=0.15; 36-min=0.15;
48-min=0.13; 60-min=0.16; 72-min=0.14. Data were analyzed using ANOVA
followed by Tukey′s test, and the results showed statistically
significant differences between human and bovine teeth (p<0.001) and
among the cutting periods (p<0.001). Conclusions : It was concluded
that the cutting efficiency of the burs was different between the
tested substrates, and that bovine enamel underwent greater mass loss
than did human enamel