The V-shaped tines of the original V-Ring are now
made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic, increasing the
ring’s retention and adaptation. With a steeper
spring angle relative to the occlusal plane, stacking is
easier and more room is available for multiple,
simultaneous restorations. A groove has been added
so that rubber dam forceps can be used with the ring.
To aid in separating smaller teeth, a new Narrow V3
Ring is now available.
The improvements made with the V3 Ring have
made it more stable in forceps so that the rings are
easy to handle and are less likely to be dropped or to
fall off the forceps. According to studies conducted
by TrioDent, the V3 Ring is the strongest sectional
matrix retainer on the market.
Ring Strength
By changing the construction of the V3 Ring to all
nickel titanium, TrioDent has designed a matrix ring
with great spring strength and a broader range of
action. Six of the 8 dentists who evaluated the V3
Ring rated ring strength as very important to important
when purchasing sectional matrix systems.
When the evaluators were then asked to rate the V3
Ring’s strength, 5 rated it as excellent and 3 rated it
as very good. One evaluator described the V3 Ring as
“much better than the previous V-Ring and other ring
types I have used.”
Ring Stability
According to TrioDent, the V3 Ring is stable in
forceps, both mesially and distally. The manufacturer
says that it is easy to handle and is less likely to be
dropped or jump off of the forceps.
All of the evaluators rated the stability of the ring
on the tooth as very important to
important when choosing a new matrix
ring. They were then asked to rate the
V3 Ring’s stability on the tooth. Three
rated it as excellent and 4 rated it as
very good. One evaluator did not
answer the question. One evaluator
commented that the V3 Ring “doesn’t
slide quite as much” as other rings.
Another evaluator summed it up by
simply saying “Excellent!”
Anatomical Contour
Five of the dentists who participated
in this evaluation said that anatomical
contour is very important when considering
a new matrix ring for purchase; 3
rated this feature as important. When
the evaluators were asked to rate the
V3 Ring on anatomical contour, 3 rated
it as excellent, 2 rated it as very good,
and 3 rated it as good. One evaluator
said that he “found the contours of the
restorations to be excellent.”
Tooth Separation and Contacts
According to TrioDent, the nickel
titanium used in the V3 Ring has excellent
memory retention, which means
that the ring will always return to its
original shape. This adaptability creates
consistently optimal separating force
for ideal contacts. In addition, the new
Narrow V3 Ring ensures the best separating
force on smaller teeth and on
teeth that are difficult to separate.
When the evaluators were asked to
rate the tooth separation of the V3 Ring,
6 rated it as excellent to very good and 1
rated it as good. With regard to the tightness
of the contacts, 4 evaluators rated
the V3 Ring as excellent and 4 rated it as
very good. One evaluator said, “I found
the contacts to be excellent.” Another
evaluator said he found the contacts to
be “excellent most of the time.”
Overall Satisfaction
All of the dentists who participated
in the evaluation of the V3 Ring found
it to be much or somewhat better than
other similar sectional matrix systems.
In addition, all of the evaluators said
they would definitely or probably recommend
the V3 Ring to their dental
colleagues.
When asked about their overall satisfaction
rating for the V3 Ring, 1 rated it
as excellent, 6 rated it as very good, and 1
rated it as good. One evaluator said, “I
loved the adaptation of the V3 Ring
around the wedge and the tight fit of the
matrix against the tooth.” He also said,
“My only wish would be to see a larger
variety of wedges…longer and thicker
would be a great addendum.” This same
evaluator went on to say, “I like the product
enough that I plan [to buy] more.”
