DTUS0610

and placed using the Composi-Tight Matrix Forceps to the mesial proxi- mal area of tooth No. 14 (Fig. 5). The orientation of the band and the positive fit make precise place- ment possible, even in posterior areas with tight access. Next, the gingival portion of the band is stabilized and sealed against the cavosurface margin of the prepa- ration using the appropriate size. WedgeWand flexible wedge (Fig. 6) The size of the WedgeWand® flex- ible wedge should be wide enough to hold the gingival portion of the matrix band sealed against the cavo- surface of the preparation, while the opposite side of the wedge sits firmly against the adjacent tooth surface. To place the wedge, the Wedge Wand is bent to 90 degrees where the wedge meets the handle. The flexible wedge can now be placed with pressure conveniently, without the use of cotton forceps, that often can be very clumsy. Once the wedge is in the correct orienta- tion, a twist of the wand releases the wedge. The G-Ring® forceps are then used to place the Soft Face™ 3D Ring into position. The feet of the Soft Face 3D Ring are placed on either side of the flexible wedge and the ring is released from the forceps. The force of the 3D Ring causes a slight separation of the teeth due to periodontal ligament compression. The unique pads of the Soft Face 3D ring hug the proximal morphology of the buccal and lingual surfaces of the adjacent teeth, while at the same time creating an unbelievably precise adaptation of the sectional matrix to the tooth cavosurface mar- gins (Fig. 7). Once the sectional matrix is prop- erly wedged and the Soft Face 3D Ring is in place, the restorative pro- cess can be started. A 15-second total-etch technique, 10 seconds on enamel margins and five seconds on dentin surfaces, is performed using a 37 percent phos- phoric etch. The etchant is then rinsed off for a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds to ensure complete removal. The preparation is then air-dried and treated with AcQuaSeal desensitiser (AcQuaMed Technologies) to dis- infect the cavity surface, create a moist surface for bonding and begin initial penetration of HEMA into the dentinal tubules. A fifth generation bonding agent (Optibond Solo Plus, Kerr) is then placed on all cavity surfaces. The solvent is evaporated by spraying a gentle stream of air across the sur- face of the preparation. The adhe- sive is then light cured for 20 sec- onds. The first layer of composite is placed using a flowable composite (Revolution 2, Kerr) to a thickness of about 0.5 mm. The flowable composite will “flow” into all the irregular areas of the preparation and create an oxygen-inhibited layer to bond sub- Clinical DENTAL TRIBUNE | March 201016A f DT page 15A AD Fig. 8: The composite restoration is completed prior to removal of the matrix band. Placement of the matrix precisely reconstructs the proximal tooth form. Fig. 9: The pointed Q-Finisher car- bide finishing bur is used to make minor occlusal adjustments and refine the restorative margins. Fig. 8a: The restoration immedi- ately after matrix removal. Fig. 10: The ulta-fine pointed com- posite finishing bur is used to further refine and finish the restoration’s adjusted areas.