Overview
EN ISO 6360-3:2005 (ISO 6360-3:2005) defines the number coding system for specific characteristics of burs and cutters used in dentistry. It is Part 3 of the ISO 6360 series and specifies the three‑digit code used to describe the type of toothing on burs, finishing burs, cutters and certain surgical rotary instruments. That three‑digit element appears in positions 10–12 of the full 15‑digit ISO 6360 code and forms the fourth group of the overall instrument identifier.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and placement: The standard covers only the code numbers for specific toothing characteristics; general characteristics and shapes are covered in ISO 6360‑1 and ISO 6360‑2 respectively.
- Instrument types covered: burs, finishing burs, cutters and surgical instruments - each may have distinct toothing designations (e.g., “bur toothing”, “cutter toothing”).
- Primary toothing characteristics:
- Direction: straight, left helicoidal, right helicoidal
- Cutting direction: left cutting, right cutting
- Grade of fineness: very fine, fine, medium, coarse, very coarse
- Secondary toothing and additional features:
- Crosscut (helicoidal crosscut / spiral cut), including direction (left/right) and fineness
- X‑cut (double/staggered cut)
- Diamond cut (secondary toothing depth similar to primary)
- Saw toothing and other variants
- Coding rules: Each distinct combination of characteristics is represented by a three‑digit number occupying the fourth group (digits 10–12) in the 15‑digit code. The standard provides definitions, terms and examples of how to describe toothing; exact allocation of new numbers is handled through the ISO/TC 106/SC 4 secretariat.
- Language and terminology: Official ISO terms are in the three ISO languages (English, French, Russian); German equivalents are published by DIN but not considered ISO terms.
Applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers: for standardized product identification, cataloguing and global trade.
- Dental suppliers & distributors: for inventory coding, ordering and product classification.
- Dental professionals and clinics: to precisely specify instruments in procurement and clinical documentation.
- Regulators and conformity assessors: to harmonize descriptions and support product standards compliance.
- Standards bodies and technical committees: allocate new numbers and maintain the registry via ISO/TC 106/SC 4.
Related standards
- ISO 6360‑1 - General characteristics (first group of the 15‑digit code)
- ISO 6360‑2 - Shapes (third group of the 15‑digit code)
- Other parts in the series: Part 4 (diamond instruments), Part 6 (abrasive instruments), Part 7 (mandrels and special instruments); Part 5 (root‑canal instruments) under preparation.
Keywords: dentistry standard, ISO 6360‑3, dental rotary instruments, burs and cutters, toothing code, number coding system, finishing burs, crosscut, x‑cut, diamond cut, EN ISO 6360‑3.
