Being the Matrix Company, one of the most frequent questions we get is “which matrix do I use where?” While personal preference will drive much of the decision process, below is a chart that can provide a good starting point.
Distal of canine, short or malpositioned
BEST - IMPROVED! Most popular choice; Superior contacts with minimal flash.
BETTER - Tofflemire-style with contoured matrix; Easy to apply; Cure through option available.
GOOD - Built-in tensioning device; Requires buccal and lingual wedges to allow placement past contact points.
GOOD - Traditional Tofflemire-style with a new non-stick coating for easy removal.
Conservative Class II
BEST - IMPROVED! Most popular choice; Superior contacts with minimal flash.
BETTER - Tofflemire-style with contoured matrix; Easy to apply; Cure through option available.
GOOD - Built-in tensioning device; Requires buccal and lingual wedges to allow placement past contact points.
GOOD - Traditional Tofflemire with a new non-stick coating for easier removal.
Slightly Wide and/or Deep
BEST - IMPROVED! Great choice even if the preparation is wide; Use Wide Prep ring with subgingival matrix bands.
BETTER - Handles wider preparations that aren’t too deep; Use with 3D/3D XR ring for improved results.
GOOD - Handles wider preparations that aren’t too deep; Use with 3D/3D XR ring for improved results.
GOOD - #2 Subgingival bands handle both very wide and very deep restorations.
Large Class II
BEST - IMPROVED! Great choice even if the preparation is wide; Use Wide Prep ring with subgingival matrix bands.
BETTER - Use clear version to improve visualization of overall restoration.
BETTER - Use Blue View version to improve visulization of overall restoration.
GOOD - Use Right-Curve matrix to improve anatomy of extremely wide preps.
Small to medium size
BEST - Metal matrix band and wedge system to help you recreate ideal interproximal anatomy quickly and confidently.
GOOD - Pre-contoured in three dimensions AND tapered to provide the band height and contour.
Large Class III or Class IV
BEST - Metal matrix band and wedge system to help you recreate ideal interproximal anatomy quickly and confidently.
GOOD - Pre-contoured in three dimensions AND tapered to provide the band height and contour.
Class V
BEST - Contours and directly compresses resin while eliminating air-inhibited layer.
Crown Build Up / Post / Core
BEST - Best choice if you want a cure-through matrix for a core build-up.
BETTER - Very fast; May not provide as tight a cervical seal as other matrices.
GOOD - A popular choice; Use Right-Curve gray (regular) matrix for the tightest possible cervical seal.