The well known HORICO DIAMOND ABRASIVES and additional HORICO DENTAL PRODUCTS are illustrated on the following pages. Since the HORICO line is so complete, every type and design required by dentist or technician will be found in the illustrations. The various grits and their recommended uses are listed below.

X extra coarse grit (180µ ) – black ring on the shank
Extra coarse FG diamonds are widely used for quick reduction of tooth substance during crown preparations. Finishing diamonds (C grit) are needed for smoothing as well as for the final shaping of the respective preparations. X-coarse midget diamonds are used for the removal of old fillings. Because of enamel splintering due to the usage of extra coarse diamonds it is advisable to finish with a C-grit (50µ) or F-grit (30µ) diamond.

The extra coarse midgetpoints have been especially developed to facilitate removal of old crowns. These crown cutters do not chatter or “walk” across the crown, a tendency sometimes noticed when using carbides. These midget points can be used for as many as 5-10 crowns and afford real economy compared to other techniques.

G coarse grit (135µ ) – green ring on the shank
In general, coarse grit instruments may serve the same purpose, but not quite as efficiently for removing old crowns. Also with this type of grit enamel splinterings will occur, making it necessary to employ finishing diamonds (either F-grit or C-grit).

normal grit (100-120µ )
After cavity preparations with normal grit diamonds, finishing is not usually essential. Enamel splintering does not occur and the surface usually provides excellence adherence for filling materials such as cement or amalgam. For inlay and onlay preparations it is advisable to use C and F finishing diamonds for precise adjustment of the margins.

C fine grit (50µ ) – red ring on the shank
C finishing diamonds are recommended for finishing preparations and for pre-smoothing of composite materials with microfillers as well as for the removal of overhangs.

F extra fine grit (30µ ) – yellow ring on the shank
F finishing diamonds are used for the finishing of preparations and for the finishing of composite materials with microfillers. They are also suitable for precise contouring or for removal of remaining overhangs.

U ultra fine grit (15µ ) – violet ring on the shank
The third finishing step for composite materials with microfillers is completed with the U-grit finishing diamonds. The gloss accomplished by using the U-grit instruments provides the surface required for lateral teeth. Advantages can also be achieved by using a sequence of increasingly finer diamonds for composite materials with microfillers.

C + F + U
To accomplish an optimal result it is advisable to use our C-grit (50µ), F-grit (30µ) and U-grit (15µ) finishing diamonds only whilst applying a slow speed (10,000-15,000 RPM) combined with minimum working pressure and abundant water cooling. As in other fields—such as the finishing of wood products—it is known that better results are achieved by a sequence of prefinishing, fine-finishing and polishing compared to processing material without the intermediate finishing steps. Following all steps assures the optimal high gloss desirable for lateral teeth. It will also be found that these instruments have a very long life.

The use of finishing diamond for composite materials with microfiller is definitely recommended as the microfiller will not be pulled away from the matrix material-a tendency sometimes occurring when using tungsten carbide burs or finishing stones.