It’s back-to-school season, but smart dentists know that SmartBands from Microbrush can make restorations easier all year long.
SmartBands, one of the most important components of the ContactPro Matrix System, are Teflon-coated non-stick bands that can be easily placed and removed using any matrix ring, especially the ring included in the ContactPro Matrix System, the ContactPro Ring. In fact, the bands are compatible with all posterior restorative materials.
The bands themselves are made of ultra-thin stainless steel that contours to the tooth. The band has a defined marginal ridge and is naturally curved, so you can easily define the area. Each band also has a SmartTab so you can pick up and place the band just where you need it.
In recognition of back-to-school season, here’s a cheat sheet for making the most of your SmartBand use:
Keep it clean
Before use, clean the bands with a mild detergent and then steam autoclaved at 121 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. Then air dry for 25 minutes.
Sized right
SmartBands come in a variety of sizes, so you can have the right size on hand for any restoration—and each size has its own color to avoid confusion in the middle of a procedure. For optimal use, choose the band that most closely approximates the occlusogingival height of the tooth. The coated versions come in:
- 3.5 mm (white)
- 4.5 mm (green)
- 5.5 mm (blue)
- 6.5 mm (red)
- 7.5 mm (gray)
Uncoated bands are available in the same sizes are coated but have a natural silver appearance.
Tweeze to please
Included with the ContactPro system is a pair of ContactPro tweezers. You can use these to easily grasp the SmartBand’s SmartTab.
Placement tips
- If you over-approximate the tooth curvature buccolingually by rolling the matrix band with your fingers, you can help keep the band’s ends from interfering with ring placement.
- Make sure you’re placing the band with the convex edge toward the gingival margin of the tooth. The SmartTab should be at the top.
- To form proper contours, push the band firmly into the adjacent tooth.
- Bend the SmartTab over the adjacent marginal ridge to facilitate restoration marginal ridge contour.
- Ensure the band is apical to preparation margin with no gap.
- If you’re using a wedge, keep a finger on SmartTab to prevent the wedge from dislodging the matrix band during insertion.
- To avoid dislodging the matrix band when placing the ring, bring the ring down at an angle over the adjacent tooth and then flatten out the ring as you place it into the interproximal space and over the top of the wedge.
Single-use only
When the restoration is complete, simply dispose of the SmartBands you’ve used.
You can learn more about SmartBands—and the entire ContactPro Matrix System—at microbrush.com.
