Contact Perfect Matrix Band

Contact Perfect Matrix Band

Arnel Dental Products

Removable interproximal windows ensure tight, predictable contacts with the Contact Perfect matrix band.

Contact Perfect, available from Arnel Dental Products, is a universal matrix band that features innovative, removable interproximal windows designed to ensure tight, predictable contacts. Resin is able to expansively flow and conform through the open window, producing contacts that are predictable and exceptionally secure. Standard Tofflemire-type retainers enable operative handling that is familiar and predictable.

Thirteen dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of Contact Perfect. They rated and commented on features such as ease of installation/removal and tightness of contact/ contour.

Ease of Use

The Contact Perfect window removal hole and fold tab serve as guides for centering the contact area. The band is automatically secured by placement of the axial-gingival ramp once photocured; if needed, a wedge can be used to further secure the band. A slight relaxation or loosening of the band’s tightness before lifting out the window ensures smooth removal of the window shield.

Ease of installation and removal was rated as excellent by 1 evaluator, as very good by 5, as good to fair by 4, and as poor by 3. Three evaluators reported difficulties with tight contacts; 2 said it was “hard to insert” when contacts are tight, and 1 said, “It needs to be thinner. I couldn’t use it in many instances because I couldn’t get it in between the teeth.” One evaluator said the band “sometimes separates on initial placement, necessitating the use of an additional band.” An evaluator who said he could “much more easily use a sectional matrix” noted, “It’s double the thickness so the unprepared site can present a problem passing through the contact or can require additional wedging for no purpose other than to place the band.” One dentist found it “difficult to work with,” and another said “prebent would be better.”

The evaluators indicated that ease of installation and removal is one of the most important features that they consider when purchasing a matrix band, with all 13 evaluators rating it as very important or important.

A Pennsylvania dentist in practice for 16 years cited ease of use as the feature he liked most. “The bands look a little intimidating at first, but the time required to review the training materials and begin to use the bands successfully is minimal,” said a New Jersey dentist in practice for 24 years. “The website has an excellent instructional video and the step-by-step card that came with the bands was very helpful.”

Contacts and Contours

A simple tap creates the desired ripple effect that allows resin to flow through the Contact Perfect window, forming a bulk contact with the adjacent tooth. All 13 evaluators rated the tightness of contacts and contours as very important when purchasing matrix bands. In addition, this is the category in which Contact Perfect scored the highest.

Tightness of contact and contours was rated as excellent by 3 evaluators, as very good by 6, and as good by 4. Eight dentists cited this as the feature they liked most. Comments ranged from “excellent contact” to “less likely to have an open contact.” Another evaluator said it “worked well when you could seat it correctly.” A dentist who gave it an overall rating of very good reported “excellent contours and contacts,” and added, “It doesn’t replace my current system but it’s a good band to have for certain cases in which it’s difficult to get a good contour and contact.” Another dentist who called it much better than similar products said it “performed reliably,” adding, “I was able to restore teeth with excellent interproximal contact points.”

Overall Satisfaction

Overall satisfaction with Contact Perfect was rated as excellent by 1 evaluator, as very good by 5, as good by 3, and as fair to poor by 4. An evaluator who called it much better than similar bands and gave it an overall rating of excellent noted, “Any practitioner who is looking for a band that will assist them in predictably restoring optimum contact points should try Contact Perfect.”