One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
– J.R.R. Tolkien
If you’re familiar with “The Lord of the Rings,” you may recall the One Ring has the ability to change sizes and adjust to the ring-bearer. If only a sectional matrix ring for Class II composite restorations could offer the same versatility, with wide indication for use, excellent spring and elasticity, optimal force for tooth separation, and the ability to create natural anatomical contours without collapsing the matrix. As fortune would have it, this matrix ring from Ultradent does exist, but unlike the One Ring, you’re not going to want to throw it in a volcano to destroy its power—instead, you’ll want to reuse it case after case.
“Class II restorations are the hardest thing dentists have to deal with, in my opinion. That’s because getting that contact just perfect is really a pain the neck sometimes,” said Dr. Nick Devani of Cypress, Calif. “Getting a nice, broad contact was always really tough. You’d get a pin contact, and that’s one of the inefficiencies of the Tofflemire band.”
Dr. Devani had what he calls a “reawakening” about his matrix system when his rep introduced him to the Triodent V3 Sectional Matrix Ring. She explained to him the benefits of the 3-part system— matrix, wedge, and ring—and explained how much more efficient it was than the Tofflemire matrix system.
“The V ring, which is the actual brain of the system, fit perfectly around the teeth, and you get a perfect seal. With the Tofflemire, every time you take that wedge out, the whole area would just bleed. With [V3] wedges, the way they’re designed is that they hold the tissue down while they go in. You take the wedge out, there’s no bleeding, and you can polish up—it’s really easy.”
Dr. Devani thinks that if dentists continue to depend on the Tofflemire matrix system, they’re practicing behind the curve and failing the patient. “If you want to do what’s best for your patient, I think it’s well worth it to invest the time in a system like the Triodent.”
Here’s how the Triodent V3 Ring fits 3 key areas of need:
Reliability
The Triodent V3 Ring handles wide preparations without collapsing the matrix band like many competitor rings. The ring's sturdy frame is made of glass fiber-reinforced, hard plastic. The frame sits around the prep, and the matrix band forms to its shape, while the ring's V-shaped tines straddle the tooth and remaining structure, allowing clinicians to create an esthetic, naturally shaped restoration without collapsed matrix bands and other problems. The Triodent V3 Ring comes in 2 sizes for large and small teeth for extra versatility and is fully autoclavable for reuse.
Low profile
The Triodent V3 Ring features a much lower profile in height and width than many popular competitor rings on the market. This allows for easier butterflying and stacking with MOD preparations, even when a patient has a narrow mouth.
Creates interproximal separation
Achieving adequate separation used to require placement of numerous wedges. Instead, the Triodent V3 Ring exerts optimal separation force on the teeth to produce consistently tight contacts without sacrificing the clinician’s time or patient comfort. The Triodent V3 Ring exerts the separating force, and the Triodent Wave-Wedge is able to act as a sealing wedge to reduce voids and achieve better restorations.
Learn more about the Triodent V3 Ring, Triodent Wave-Wedge, and other important components of Ultradent’s V3 System here. See how to master the system in the photos below.
1. Hold the SuperCurve or V3 Tab-Matrix with the Pin-Tweezers and bend the tab towards you. Slide the matrix between the cavity.
2. Grip the Wave-Wedge with the Pin-Tweezers, use the back of your free hand to orient the wedge to the proper direction as needed, and place the wedge.
3. Place the V3 Ring against the matrix band with the forceps, rocking it onto the top of the Wave-Wedge and ensuring that it is fully seated, mesially or distally.
To learn more, download a white paper by Dr. Michael Miyasaki, who says he uses the Triodent V3 Ring for 95% of restorations. Also, check out the video below for user feedback.