Quick, easy, and efficient” has been Dr. Gary Johnson’s mantra for 44 years of practice. But the challenges inherent in direct restorations sometimes threaten to undermine those goals with issues such as inaccurate contacts, overhangs, and unnatural contours.
It’s for this reason that Dr. Johnson now depends on the Pro-Matrix Disposable Matrix System from Young Innovations. A unique single-use matrix solution that can be used with all restorative materials, for every restoration class, and in all quadrants, Pro-Matrix is a single-product system with no assembly or application tools required.
“Pro-Matrix provides an inexpensive and easy way to achieve a well-shaped and acceptable direct restoration quickly and with less effort,” said Dr. Johnson. “It gives me a clinical alternative that provides my patients with a quality restoration at a reasonable price, reduces my staff’s workload, and meets my criteria of quick, easy, and efficient.”
Design and Adaptability
Pro-Matrix bands come in Standard Narrow and Curved Narrow (4.5 mm) for premolars and pediatrics, and in Standard Wide and Curved Wide (6 mm) for molars. Pro-Matrix Curve is precontoured to tooth shape and provides a longer band for larger teeth. “Being precurved made very nice convex interproximal anatomies,” shared Dr. Anthony Fusco. Dr. Peter Schott said, “The precontouring makes placing posterior composites and obtaining mesial and distal contacts a breeze.” He also suggested a scalloped version for deeper preps.
“It’s perfect!” declared Dr. Ira Biderman after using Pro-Matrix for several weeks. “The curve at the top helps shape the anatomy after placing the composite, which is easy to trim since the marginal ridge is built into the matrix,” he explained. “With no openings in this all-in-one matrix, there are no worries about the patient’s cheek getting caught in the screw when tightening the band.”
Appreciating the contour and thickness of the bands, Dr. Trupti Nadkarni likes that it can be modified if it needs to be removed separately from the holder. Dr. Joel Gentry praised the “unique and thin design,” Dr. Michael McClure likes the single-use setup, and Dr. John Horn enjoyed the selection of sizes. Describing the bands as “easy to use with great adaptation properties and multiple options depending on the restoration,” Dr. Rodolfo Olmos said, “It saves time while ensuring patient comfort.”
Ease of Use and Time Savings
Pro-Matrix bands are preassembled for quick and easy use and reduce injury risk compared with sharp Tofflemire matrix bands. “Pro-Matrix’s pre-setup means it’s ready to go for multiple restorative materials,” said Dr. Schott. “It helps speed up restorative placement and simplifies cleanup.” Dr. Horn described it as “a very easy-to-use and versatile substitute for other matrix systems.”
Compared to “time-consuming traditional matrices,” Dr. Pauline Lu said Pro-Matrix’s “easy fitting” saves time, and Dr. Shari Mathew said, “It’s a better solution that’s easy to use and shortens restoration time.” Dr. Johnson “likes the one-piece disposable design,” which eliminates the cleaning and sterilization.
Versatility and Final Outcomes
“Pro-Matrix is less traumatic to tissues than a metal sectional matrix and decreases chair time, while still achieving a good interproximal contact,” said Dr. Horn, who called it “versatile for use anywhere in any quadrant and a nice tool for any GP’s toolbox.” Describing it as “a simple system that does the job with less trauma to tissue and less patient discomfort,” Dr. Mitchell Pasenkoff shared, “It is very good at creating interproximal contacts for composite restorations.” Pro-Matrix “is better than the standard Tofflemire bands by far and causes me less stress with interproximal restorations,” said Dr. Fusco.
Using Pro-Matrix, Dr. Johnson completed a very large mesial-occlusal composite restoration for a second molar “with good margins, no overhang, and closed mesial interproximal contact.” Dr. McClure “achieved tight contacts with Class II restorations,” and Dr. Gentry appreciates the marginal seal achieved with Pro-Matrix, especially for posterior composites.
“The band stayed in place perfectly, contacts came out perfectly, and all procedures were so easy,” shared Dr. Biderman.
The bands were a great alternative to clamping Class II and III fillings in children, said Dr. Steven Dater, who appreciates the “ability to use it in different situations.” Pro-Matrix “made Class II fillings easier and faster” for Dr. Kane Fulton, and Dr. Fusco was able to create “perfect contacts.”
Overall Satisfaction
Dr. Olmos concluded, “ProMatrix makes my job a lot easier and is a must for any restorative dentist who wants a safe, disposable, easy-to-use, versatile matrix system that provides consistent results.”
