Pineapple Bur Guide: Bone Smoothing, Alveoloplasty & Clinical Parameters

What Is a Pineapple Bur?

The Pineapple Bur is a cylindrical or spindle-shaped surgical bur used in dental implant surgery. Its intersecting cutting edges create a rough textured surface resembling pineapple skin. The Pineapple Bur is designed for bone smoothing and alveoloplasty—the surgical reshaping of the alveolar ridge to remove sharp or uneven bone edges—not for bone collection.

Clinical Applications

The Pineapple Bur is indicated for alveoloplasty (jawbone reshaping) before implant placement. It is used when:

• Sharp bone edges are palpable after tooth extraction

• The alveolar ridge is too narrow or irregular for standard implant placement

• Bone surface must be leveled before ridge splitting or GBR procedures

By creating a smooth, rounded bone contour, the Pineapple Bur helps provide a stable foundation for dental implants.

 Recommended Parameters

Speed: 800–1,500 RPM (use lower speeds for dense cortical bone)

Irrigation: Mandatory. The rough surface generates significant friction. Copious external saline irrigation prevents thermal osteonecrosis and flushes bone debris.

Drilling technique: Apply light brushing motions with the Pineapple Bur—not heavy axial force. Use intermittent passes rather than continuous drilling to allow heat dissipation.

Safety Precautions

• Do not use without irrigation – bone temperature can exceed 47°C, causing irreversible osteonecrosis

• Do not apply heavy pressure – this creates uneven surfaces and increases friction

• Do not use for bone collection – the Pineapple Bur is a shaping instrument, not a bone harvester

• Sterilize properly – follow standard steam sterilization protocols (pre-vacuum: 132°C, 4 min; gravity: 132°C, 20 min). Avoid hydrogen peroxide exposure, which damages the cutting edges.

Conclusion

The Pineapple Bur is an essential instrument for bone smoothing and alveoloplasty in dental implant surgery—not a bone collector. When used correctly at 800–1,500 RPM with copious saline irrigation, it provides efficient, controlled contouring of the alveolar ridge, preparing narrow or irregular bone for successful implant placement.