Learning Center

A 56 year-old female patient presented to the practice with discomfort in tooth #4 and food retention in the interproximal area in #3MO and #4DO. Radiographic and clinical evaluation revealed secondary carious lesions that required treatment.

A 57-year-old male patient presented to the practice with discomfort in tooth #5DO. Radiographic and clinical evaluation revealed a secondary caries lesion beneath an old restoration.

This case highlights the diagnosis and management of early Class II lesions using a contemporary matrix system — the Quad Matrix by Garrison — combined with Shofu’s bioactive composite restorative material. 

A healthy 44 year old female presented to the practice exhibiting marginal failure on old composite restorations #30DO and 31MO along with a small erosive pit noted on the mesiobuccal cusp tip of tooth #30.

A 71 year old ASA II female with medical history significant for controlled hypertension and hypercholesteremia presented to the practice with a clinical concern of marginal failure and sensitivity with her amalgam restoration on #28DOL.

A healthy 34 year old male with a 5+ year history of energy drink consumption presented to the practice for restoration of
dentin caries on teeth #18MO, 19DOB and 20DO. On radiographic examination the raw findings were: caries: #20M2D3,

A 41 year old ASA I female maintaining controlled iron deficiency anemia presented to the practice exhibiting a mesial
marginal ridge fracture on tooth #13M with existing MOD composite restoration. This tooth also featured an open contact

The new Garrison “Quad” system of matrices, bifurcated wedges, and directional separator rings represents a significant advancement in simplifying and optimizing the management of direct Class II restorations, especially for back-to-back cavities

Restoring a Class 2 defect may seem simple—just place a slice of composite into the cavity and cure it—but this approach neglects crucial factors like contacts, contours, and gingival health.