Raw Material Inflation Alert: Is Now The Right Time To Stock Dental Milling Burs? Article Content

Raw material inflation is reshaping the dental manufacturing supply chain, and cutting tools are among the first products affected.

Tungsten powder-an essential component in carbide dental milling burs-has risen to RMB 990/kg, with a 213.3% increase since the start of the year. This sharp increase is already influencing production costs and pricing strategies across the milling tool market.

For dental milling burs, higher tungsten prices translate into:

• Increased manufacturing costs
• Reduced promotional flexibility
• Greater emphasis on tool efficiency and lifespan

Dental labs focused on zirconia milling are particularly exposed, as zirconia-grade burs require higher carbide density and wear resistance.

In response, many customers are adjusting procurement behavior. Rather than waiting for price changes to fully materialize, they are choosing to:

Secure inventory at current pricing levels

Prioritize reliable, long-term bur models

Work with suppliers offering consistent quality and supply continuity

Vsmile milling burs are designed to deliver stable cutting performance and predictable tool life, helping labs plan consumable usage more effectively during periods of market uncertainty.

While raw material prices remain beyond any single company's control, procurement timing is not. Securing milling bur stock earlier can reduce cost volatility, protect production schedules, and provide greater budget certainty in the months ahead.