Forgo Freehanding with 3M Filtek Matrix

Like most restorative and cosmetic dentists, Dr. Stephen Shaw has seen countless patients present with challenging anterior restorative needs.

“Traditionally, when we wanted to change the shape and/or color of a tooth, the majority of practitioners would revert to porcelain laminates or veneers because we could tell our lab artists to make the restoration to our exact specifications,” he said. “But putting a temporary on a tooth was difficult, conservatism was thrown out the window, and you might go through a long, expensive procedure only for the shade to be off at the very end.”

Enter the 3M Filtek Matrix, a digitally designed, patient-specific anterior matrix system that assists with molding dental composites, such as in cases involving composite veneers, undersized teeth, or diastema closures. By incorporating the Filtek Matrix into his restorative routine, Dr. Shaw can now approach these once-challenging anterior cases with ease. “By designing everything digitally beforehand, Filtek Matrix offers a brilliant way to control these restorative outcomes,” he said. 

A Time-Saving Workflow

Unlike more invasive ceramic procedures that require removal of healthy tooth structure, the Filtek Matrix relies on additive composite techniques that require little tooth reduction and typically can be completed in as little as 2 appointments.

“The majority of cases I’ve done with Filtek Matrix were performed quickly and without anesthesia,” Dr. Shaw added. “Patients were very comfortable, especially considering the profound change being made cosmetically and structurally to their teeth.”

The Filtek Matrix system offers a streamlined digital workflow—just scan or impress and take photos of patients' teeth, complete a digital prescription, re-view the treatment design, approve the digitally de-signed restoration, and then use the 3D-printed Filtek Matrix to transfer the design using 3M composites.

“Learning to freehand direct bonding procedures with confidence takes time," Dr. Shaw said. "Whether in the hands of a novice practitioner or a more experienced clinician, the Filtek Matrix helps even the playing field, giving us the ability to perform on par with others who are more skilled in that realm. It’s a great system that truly delivers conservative, predictable, and highly esthetic results.”