Learning Center

Fusion Anterior wedges may be used with any anterior matrix to improve its performance.

No. Any Garrison ring placement forceps will work. However, the new Fusion Forceps make placing the Fusion rings much easier. They have a different fulcrum point and tip positioning than previous forceps, making the super strong Fusion rings easier to open. This is particularly important for people with smaller hands or medical conditions such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

The coloring on the bands is a non-stick coating. It prevents bonding agents and composites from sticking to the metal material of the matrix bands. Some bonding agents will bond to uncoated stainless steel, making uncoated matrix bands very difficult to remove.

The stiff nature of the Fusion Anterior matrices will maintain proper interproximal anatomy regardless of how firmly composite is compressed into the restoration. Mylar is easily distorted, thereby necessitating difficult adjustments to critical interpoximal areas.

eZr is designed for use on today's ultra-hard restorative materials but is suitable for use on any ceramic. It is too aggressive for use on composite materials.

You can gently burnish the matrix bands to make contact with the adjacent tooth. Vigorous burnishing is not required and will distort the pre-contoured shape of the band and may cause a gap to form, compromising your contact.

When a FitStrip is used in a curved position, proper lateral pressure must be maintained (pressure against the tooth following the curvature of the strip) or the strip will "bunch up", subsequently bending a small portion at either end of the strip past its breaking point.

We strongly recommend that you use Garrison ring placement forceps. They are specially designed to open our rings and for ease of use. Rubber dam forceps do not fit the rings well and you will not be able to open the ring wide enough in many cases.

Providing “pre-separation” will help. The preferred method is to use a Garrison FenderWedge during tooth preparation. The FenderWedge will start to separate the teeth while your are cutting the preparation. When the prep is complete, remove the FenderWedge and immediately place the matrix band. Using a traditional wedge for pre-separation will also work, but it will not protect the adjacent tooth from accidental burr contact.

Alternatively, placement of a G-Ring or 3D ring on the tooth for a few minutes prior to matrix band placement will also produce separation. After the ring has been in place for a few minutes, remove the ring and immediately place the matrix band.

Composi-Tight matrix bands can be burnished further than a traditional matrix, but if the distance is too far you will need to employ one of the larger, wider matrices.

It is the combination of the separating force produced by both the ring and the wedge that stretches the periodontal ligament. Reducing the size of the wedge will lighten the contacts. Contacts that are too tight can be lightened with the use of a fine diamond finishing strip.

Use of SlickBands or SlickBands XR with their non-stick coating will greatly simplify matrix band removal. Additionally, our Matrix Forceps with their carbide teeth, provide excellent grip on ultra-thin matrices for easier removal.