Composi-Tight®

Sectional Matrix System User Training

• Composi-Tight® solves one of the most common and frustrating problems for dentists placing posterior Class II composite restorations:

Achieving tight, anatomical contacts

Problem & SolutionTofflemire 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

- 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 BandsKey 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 BandsKey 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 BandsKey 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 BandsKey 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 aslittle 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 theMO and DO preparations only.

MO and DO are filled.

Bands and wedges are removedand the proximal surfaces are finished.

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

1.888.437.0032 (USA & Canada) /616.842.2244

www.garrisondental.com