This document defines and describes matrices and wedges used in dental restorations. Matrices act as temporary walls to shape and contain restorative materials during placement. They must be rigid, non-reactive, and easy to insert and remove. Wedges are inserted under matrices to create separation between teeth and stabilize the matrix. Common matrix systems include Tofflemire matrices and anatomical matrices. Wedges are made of wood or plastic and placed below gingival margins to direct material flow. Proper placement of matrices and wedges is important for achieving optimal restoration contours and contacts.

1. Matrices
&
wedges
DR. MANJIRI HONAP

2. WHAT IS
MATRIX
AND
WEDGE?
MATRIX
Appropriate axial tooth contours.
Confine restorative material in plastic state.
MATRIXING
Temporary wall.
WEDGES
Device that create rapid separation.

3. DEFINITION
MATRIX
 A device used to contour a restoration to simulate that of a tooth structure, which
it is replacing.
MATRICING
 Is the procedure whereby a temporary wall is created opposite to axial walls,
surrounding areas of the tooth structure that were lost during the cavity
preparation.

4. Requirements
 Easy insertion
 Sufficiently rigid to contour
 Should not adhere or react with the restorative material
 Should resist the condensation pressure
 Ease of removal
 Economical

5. Functions
 Act as a temporary wall of resistance
 It should provide shape to the restoration.
 Should confine the restoration with the acceptable physiological limits.
 Assist in isolating the gingiva and rubber dam during introduction of restorative
material.
 Must help in maintaining a dry operative field.

6. Matrix system – BAND &
RETAINER
MATRIX BAND
 supplied as strips of different dimensions.
 Thickness – may be 0.001” (0.025mm) or 0.002” (0.05mm)
 Width – may be ¼”, 3/8”, 5/16” or 1/8”.•

7. Materials used as matrix band
 Stainless steel
 Cellulose acetate (cellophane)
 Cellulose nitrate(celluloid)
 Polyacetate (mylar)
 Copper band Matrices are also supplied as
crown forms• split crown forms• hollow cylinders

8. RETAINER
 This is a device by which the band can be maintained in its designated position
and shape.
 The retainer may be a mechanical device , dental floss, a metal ring or impression
compound.

9. CLASSIFICATION

10. •With retainer
•Without retainer
1.Based on mode of retention:

11. 2. Based on type of band
a) Metallic non transparent b) Non metallic transparent

12. 3- Based on
type of cavity
for which it is
used
A-Matrix for Class I cavity preparation Ex:
Double banded tofflemire
B-Matrix for Class II cavity preparation
Ex:Single banded tofflemire
Ivory No. 1
Ivory No. 8
Copper band
Anatomical Matrix
Automatrix

13. 3- Based on
type of cavity
for which it is
used
C-Matrix for Class III cavity preparation
Ex: Mylar strip matrix S- shaped matrix
D-Matrix for Class IV cavity preparation Ex:
Custom lingual matrix ,Modified S- shaped
matrix
E-Matrix for Class V cavity preparation Ex:
Window matrix
Cervical matrix

14. 4-Based on its preparation
Custom made or anatomic
Ex: compound supported matrix
Mechanical matrix
Ex: tofflemire, ivory no.1 & 8 matrices

15. IVORY NO 1 RETAINER
An adjustable metal retainer, holds bands of
stainless steel that provide the missing wall for the
single proximal surface restoration
Margin is slightly projected, which is kept toward
the gingiva on the cavity side.

16. IVORY NO 8 RETAINER
Consists of a band that encircles the entire
crown
To restore class II cavities on one or both
proximal surfaces of posterior tooth

17. UNIVERASAL MATRIX [TOFFLEMIRE]

18. INDICATIONS:
Class I cavity with buccal/lingual extension
b) Class II cavities
ADVANTAGES:
Ease of use.
Good contact & contour
Rigid & stable
DISADVANTAGES:
Does not produce optimum contact & contour for posterior composite
Not useful for extensive class II
UNIVERASAL MATRIX
[TOFFLEMIRE]

19. WEDGES

20.  Wedges are small, tapering, triangular
pieces of, wood or clear plastic about
 ½ inch in length

21. WEDGE
PRINCIPAL
 Mechanical method of tooth separation where
a wedge or conical shaped device is inserted
between adjacent teeth beneath the contact
area of teeth which leads to separation.

22. WEDGE PLACEMNT

23. Classification
Triangular
round
Light transmitting
wedges
wooden Plastic

24. Dimensions of wedges
 SIZE:- ½ inches(1.2cm)
 Wedges are available in various sizes, which may be
color coded. They are either plain (straight) or
anatomically (triangular)shaped

25. Placement &
function
 Not only stabilizing the matrix but more
importantly it is placed below gingival
cavosurface margin to prevent amalgam
from flowing below the cavo surface margin.

26. Correct & incorrect placement of wedge

27. WEDGING
TECHNIQUES

28. 1. Single
wedging

29. 2.Piggy back
wedging
Useful in patients with
gingival recession
Wedge is significantly
apical of the gingival
margin a second wedge
may be placed on top of
the first

30. 3.Double
wedging
 One from the lingual
embrasure and one
from facial
embrasure
 Only if middle 2/3 of
proximal margin can
be adequately
wedged.
 When proximal box is
wide facio lingually

31. 4-Wedge
wedging
Employed on mesial
aspect of maxillary I
premolar, because of
fluted roots(concavity)
Second pointed wedge
is inserted between the
first wedge and the
band, to wedge a matrix
band tightly in such a
margin

32. Thank you!