Parts of Matrix

Retainer
It holds a band in desired position and shape.
Band
• It is a piece of metal or polymeric material, intended to give
support and form to the restoration during its insertion
and setting.
• Commonly used materials for bands are:
– Stainless steel
– Polyacetate
– Cellulose acetate
– Cellulose nitrate.
• Matrix band should extend 2 mm above the marginal ridge
height and 1 mm below gingival margin of the preparation.
• Matrices range in width from 6.35 mm (1/4”) to 9.525 mm
(3/8”) for permanent teeth and 3.175 mm (1/8”) to 7.9375
mm (5/16”) for deciduous teeth. Their thickness may range
between 0.0381 mm (0.0015”) to 0.0508 mm (0.002”).
Functions
• To confine the restoration during setting
• To provide proper proximal contact and contour
• To provide optimal surface texture for restoration
• To prevent gingival overhangs.

Ideal Requisites
To achieve an optimal restoration, matrix band should have
following requirements:
• Rigidity: Matrix band should be rigid enough so as to
withstand the pressure of condensation applied during
restoration, placement and maintains its shape during
hardening.
• Adaptability: Matrix band should be able to match to
almost any size and shape of tooth.
• Easy to use: Band should be simple in design so that it
does not cause any difficulty to the patient, or hindrance
to the operator during restoration of the tooth.
• It should be able to displace the gingiva and rubber dam
for ease in working.
• Nonreactive: It should be inert to tissues and the
restorative material.
• Height and contour: Matrix band should not extend more
than 2 mm beyond the occlusogingival height of the crown
of tooth. This facilitates vision and speeds up working.
• Application: Matrix band should be such that it can be
applied and removed easily.
• Sterilization: It should be easy to sterilize.
• Inexpensive: It should be inexpensive.

CLASSIFICATION
According to Method of Retention
• Mechanically retained, e.g. Ivory matrix retainers no.1
and 8, Tofflemire universal dental matrix band retainer.
• Self-retained, e.g. copper or stainless steel bands,
Automatrix
According to its Preparation
• Mechanical matrix, e.g. Ivory matrix retainers no.1 and 8,
Tofflemire matrices
• Anatomic/custom-made matrix, e.g. compound supported
matrix.
According to Transparency
• Transparent matrices, e.g. cellophane, celluloid
• Nontransparent matrices, e.g. stainless steel.
According to the Type of Band Material
• Stainless steel
• Copper band
• Cellophane
• Mylar
According to the Tooth Preparation for
Which they are Used
Table 13.1 enlists various matrices used according to the type
of tooth preparation.

Ivory Matrix Holder (Retainer) No. 1

Ivory matrix holder number 1 is most commonly used
matrix band holder for unilateral class II tooth preparations.
Matrix holder has a claw at one end with two flat semicircle
arms having a pointed projection at the end (Figs 13.2 and
13.3). On other end of matrix band holder, there is a screw
which is when rotated clockwise, brings ends of both claws
closer to each other. Band used with this matrix has one
margin slightly projected in its middle part. This projected
margin is kept towards the gingiva on the side of tooth
preparation. Keeping the matrix band around the tooth, the
screw of the retainer is tightened so that the band perfectly
fits around the tooth. After this, wedge is placed which also
helps in further adaptation of the matrix band to the tooth
(Fig. 13.4).
Indication
For restorations of unilateral class II tooth preparations,
especially when the contact on the unprepared side is very
tight

Classification of matrices according to type of tooth preparation

Types of preparation Mmatrices and retainers

Class I with buccal or lingual Double banded Tofflemire matrix

extension

Class II tooth preparation • Ivory matrix number 1

• Nystrom’s retainer
Class II mesio-occlusodistal • Ivory matrix number 8
(MOD) tooth preparation • Tofflemire matrix
• Steele’s Siqveland self-adjusting
matrix
• Anatomical matrix band
• ‘T’ shaped matrix band
• Retainerless automatrix
Class III tooth preparation • ‘S’ shaped matrix band • Cellophane matrix strips
• Mylar strips
Class IV tooth preparation • Plastic strips
• Aluminium foil
• Transparent crown form
• Anatomic matrix
Class V tooth preparation • Custom made plastic matrix
Direct tooth colored and all • Cellophane matrices
other complex • Anatomic matrices preparations
• Aluminium or copper collars
• Transparent plastic crown forms
Advantages
• Economical
• Used for restoring class II tooth preparations
• Can be sterilized.
Disadvantages
• Cumbersome to apply and remove.
• Not used commonly now-a-days.

Ivory Matrix Band Retainer No. 8

Ivory matrix band retainer holds the matrix band that encircles
the tooth to provide missing walls on both proximal sides. The
matrix band is made up of thin sheet of metal so that it can
pass through the contact area of the unprepared proximal
side of the tooth (Figs 13.5 and 13.6). Circumference of the
band can be adjusted using the screw present in the matrix
band retainer.
Indications
• Unilateral or bilateral class II preparations (MOD)
• Class II compound tooth preparations having more than
two missing walls.
Advantages
• Economical
• Used for restoring class II tooth preparations
• Can be sterilized.
Disadvantages
• Cumbersome to apply and remove.
• Not used commonly nowadays.

Tofflemire Universal Matrix Band Retainer

(Designed by Dr BF Tofflemire)
It is also well known as ‘universal’ matrix because it can be
used in all types of tooth preparations of posterior teeth.
Matrix band is fitted onto the retainer and then fitted loosely
over the tooth, which then can be tightened in position by
means of the screw (Fig. 13.7).
Indications
• Class I tooth preparations with buccal or lingual extensions
• Unilateral or bilateral class II (MOD) tooth preparations
(Figs 13.8A to C)
• Class II compound tooth preparations having more than
two missing walls.
Advantages
• Easy to use
• Sturdy and stable in nature
• Provides good contact and contours
• Can be easily removed
• Can be sterilized.
• Can be used both from facial as well as lingual side
• Economical
Disadvantages
• Cannot be used in badly broken teeth or extensive class II
restorations.
• Does not offer optimal contour and contact for posterior
resin restorations.

Types of Tofflemire Matrix

• Based on type of head
– Straight (Fig. 13.7):
i. Head of matrix system is straight
ii. Placed only from buccal side
– Contra-angle (Fig. 13.9):
i. Head is angulated
ii. Placed either from buccal or lingual side.
• Based on type of dentition
– Standard—use in permanent dentition
– Small—used in primary dentition.

Parts of Tofflemire Retainer

Tofflemire retainer consists of the following parts (Fig. 13.10).
Head
• Uses slots for positioning of matrix
• U-shaped head with two slots in open side
• Open side of the head should be facing gingivally when the
band is placed around the tooth (Figs 13.11 and 13.12).

Slide (Diagonal slot)

• Amount of band extending beyond the slot depends upon type of tooth to be treated.
• This portion is located near the head for installation of band in the retainer, helps in placement of band round the
tooth.

Knurled nuts
• Two knurled knots in retainer
1) Large knurled nut (Also known as rotating spindle)
a. Helps in adapting the loop of matrix band against the tooth.
b. Helps in adjusting the size of loop of matrix band against the tooth.
2) Small knurled nut—helps in tightening the band to retainer.

Assembly of retainer:
When band and retainer are assembled, two ends of band must be of same length protruding from the
diagonal slot (Fig. 13.13). Loop extending from retainer can project in following ways (Fig. 13.14):
• Straight—used near anterior teeth
• Left/Right—used mostly in posterior areas of oral cavity.
While adapting the matrix band to retainer loop of the matrix, band appears as funnel shaped, i.e. one side of the
opening has greater diameter than other (Fig. 13.15). Opening with greater diameter should be placed occlusally while
with lesser diameter should be placed gingivally.
Types of bands: Two types of bands are usually used:
1. Flat bands
2. Precontoured bands.
1. Flat bands:
• Available in two thicknesses
– 0.0020 inches
– 0.0015 inches
• According to shapes, three shapes of flat bands are available (Fig. 13.16)
– No. 1 or universal band
– No. 2 or (MOD band): It has two extensions projecting at gingival edge. It is commonly used inmolars
– No. 3: Similar to No. 2 band in design but narrower than No. 2.
• Flat band need to be contoured before placing in retainer. Contouring of band can be done with the help
of:
– Ovoid burnisher
– Spoon excavator (using its convex side).

2. Precontoured bands: They are also available but less commonly used. While removing these bands, band should
be rotated in such a way that its trailing end should not fracture the restoration.