Technique Tips: Matrix Revolutions

Matrix technique has been demonstrated to be the most important determinant in the restoration of tight, anatomically correct proximal contacts and contours.¹ Unfortunately a high percentage of dentists complain of regular problems with open Class II posterior composite contacts. This primarily results from reliance on out-moded matrices designed for amalgam, such as the notoriously unsuitable Siqveland matrix system. Common errors are illustrated in Figure 1.

To combat this, a range of specialized matrices, wedges and contact forming instruments are available that are designed to:

Sectional matrices, wedges and separation rings have been demonstrated to produce optimal restorative contacts, but are not suitable for all clinical situations or for amalgam restorations.1 In larger cavities and those with wider proximal boxes, specialized circumferential matrices, such as AutoMatrix (DentsplySirona, Weybridge, UK) and SuperMat (Kerr, Orange County, CA, USA) (Figure 2) are recommended because they confer a number of advantages (Table 1).¹