A dental bur (10) and method for removing a soft deposit from a tooth or an implant, the bur (10) having a shank (14) adapted to be connected to a rotary device (20). A head (12) extends from the shank (14). The head (12) has a material hardness adapted to remove soft deposits attached to the tooth but deflect against the tooth. Furthermore, the head (12) is sized for insertion into a periodontal pocket (66) adjacent to the tooth without surgery. Thus, the dental bur (10) may be rotated against the tooth for removing the soft deposits but deflect and/or wear against the tooth for preventing damage to the tooth.
