Composi-Tight® Sectional Matrix System User Training Mention that already about 15% of the US. dentists are users and about 22% of Canadian Dentists Discuss that sell well in Scandinavia and getting started in the U.K. and Switzerland. Several interested distributors in Germany, France and Italy, as well as several inquiries from Eastern Europe.
Composi-Tight® solves one of the most common and frustrating problems for dentists placing posterior Class II composite restorations: Achieving tight, anatomical contacts
Problem & Solution Tofflemire v. Composi-Tight®
Matrix Bands and G-Rings®
Instructional Video Covers basic technique, MODs, wide embrasures and back-to-back restorations. Duration: 12 minutes
GDS Ring Placement Forceps GDS forceps open wide enough for all applications and hold the rings stable for easy placement and removal. Ivory-style rubber dam forceps may also be used to place G-Rings, however, some styles do not open the rings wide enough to place them on larger teeth.
PLACING THE MATRIX SYSTEM
- Pre-curl band and place matrix Go briefly through how the system works - Place rubber dam - Prepare tooth - Pre-curl band and place matrix
- Insert wedge to seal cervical margin
- Spread G-Ring with GDS Ring Placement Forceps or rubber dam clamp forceps
- Place ring adjacent to band when possible - Burnish band against adjacent tooth
- For wide embrasures, place ring on opposite side of wedge
- For MODs, place long ring over standard ring
FEATURES AND BENEFITS MATRIX BANDS
Matrix Bands Key Features & Benefits Feature: 5 band sizes Benefits: Sizes for every application PEDO for primary molars SMALL for bicuspids EXTENDED SMALL for bicuspids & molars with sub-gingival extensions (NEW PRODUCT) STANDARD for permanent molars & bicuspids LARGE for deep cervical/sub-gingival extensions Places contact at the height of contour Small bands reduce over-filling, which reduces finishing time.
Matrix Bands Key Features & Benefits Feature: 3-Dimensional Contour Benefits: Contact is at the height of contour No loss of contact during occlusal adjustment Broader area of contact Reduces gap below the contact area
Matrix Bands Key Features & Benefits Feature: 30 Microns Thick (.0012”) Benefits: Less separation of teeth required Easier to slide band into place (don’t need to cut as much tooth structure when breaking contact) Easier to burnish and broaden contact area
Matrix Bands Key Features & Benefits Feature: Sectional Piece Benefits: Easier to burnish - slides over easily Easier to place band on Class 2 filling (it is very difficult to get a contoured Tofflemire-type matrix between the contact opposite the side being restored)
FEATURES AND BENEFITS G-RINGS®
G-Rings® Key Features & Benefits Feature: 2 Lengths of Tines Benefits: Overlap of rings for MODs or multiples in a quadrant Long ring often helpful for restorations on taller teeth or tooth with periodontal disease
G-Rings® Key Features & Benefits Feature: Converging Tine Angle Benefit: Helps ensure ring retention (compare to parallel tines of Palodent BiTine ® ring)
G-Rings® Key Features & Benefits Feature: Burnished Ends of Tines Benefit: Helps ensure ring retention (compare to tines of Palodent and Danville Rings)
G-Rings® Key Features & Benefits Feature: Round (versus flat) Wire Benefit: Allows placement alongside wedge Wedge must be trimmed with competing rings Reduces time (no trimming or difficulty removing) Restores wide lingual or buccal embrasures Adapts well to interproximal space for either mesial or distal condition Competing rings require turning the ring around for distal restorations
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions How do I handle wide embrasures? Option 1: Place ring opposite the wedge Option 2: Fill and cure all but interproximal contact area, then place matrix My rings have lost their tension. Open rings only as far as necessary Re-set tension with 3-prong pliers or orthodontic headgear pliers
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions (continued) My forceps don’t open rings far enough for some applications Use GDS Ring Placement Forceps Grasp ring higher up on an ivory-style rubber dam forceps
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions (continued) The matrix bands are difficult to place. Break contact with very thin diamond Pre-curl matrix and slide in laterally Place ring during cavity preparation, then remove and place matrix My contacts are sometimes too tight. Lighter wedging ( especially w/ new rings) Remove band with hemostats or dressing forceps (Miltex 6-8) with interlocking teeth
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions (continued) Sometimes I still don’t get a contact. Don’t forget to burnish. Wedge a little more firmly if needed How do I restore a back-to-back MO/DO. Fill and cure one side first using only wedge and band. Then, finish other side using wedge, band and ring. Be sure to burnish band against the already restored tooth
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions (continued) Do you offer clear bands? No clear bands offered at this time Incremental filling, and increased bond strengths eliminate the need for a clear matrix. Clear bands are typically 2 or 3x as thick, non-contoured, and lack resilience of stainless steel, making them more difficult to use.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions (continued) Can it be used for amalgam? The system was designed and developed for composites. Contacts very good, but if amalgam is not fully set it can fracture when removing the matrix band. Recommend lubricating matrix first.
Clinical Technique
Amalgams to be replaced.
Amalgam was removed with as little loss of tooth structure as possible.
Caries detector applied to preparation.
Precurled contoured bands are pulled through the open contact area from the lingual (or vice versa).
Bands and wedges are placed on the MO and DO preparations only.
MO and DO are filled.
Bands and wedges are removed and the proximal surfaces are finished.
Bands are placed first, then wedges, then rings Bands are placed first, then wedges, then rings. The rings serve to create separation and ensure excellent contacts. The rings hold the band tightly to the proximal cavosurface margins, greatly reducing flash.
Anatomy is roughed in before removal of rubber dam, significantly reducing occlusal adjustment time.
Finished quadrant of composite restorations.
Composi-Tight ® Sectional Matrix System Mention that already about 15% of the US. dentists are users and about 22% of Canadian Dentists Discuss that sell well in Scandinavia and getting started in the U.K. and Switzerland. Several interested distributors in Germany, France and Italy, as well as several inquiries from Eastern Europe. Composi-Tight ® Sectional Matrix System 1.888.437.0032 (USA & Canada) /616.842.2244 www.garrisondental.com