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FAQS
Technique
V-Ring Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
V-Ring Questions
1. Do V-Rings produce tight contacts?
2. Can V-Rings be used on wide cavities?
3. Can V-Rings be used when a cusp is missing?
4. Can V-Rings be used on primary teeth?
5. Can V-Rings be sterilized and re-used?
6. Can V-Rings be used on MOD's?
7. How long do V-Rings last??
8. Can you use V-Rings to restore TWO adjacent Class II cavities?
9. Do V-Rings work equally well on all teeth?
10. How do V-Rings and Tri-Clips compare?
11. Do I have to hold the contact point with a burnisher while light
curing? Could I use a regular matrix and hold the contact and then why
would I need a V-Ring?
Tab-Matrix Questions
1. How do I use the Tab?
2. How do I prevent the little tab blocking my view of the cavity?
3. How do I remove the Tab-Matrix?
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V-Ring Questions
1. Do V-Rings produce tight contacts?
Yes! Experts agree that sectional matrix systems are the surest way
to achieve tight contacts since the lateral spring pressure acts like
a McKean orthodontic tooth separator1.
A V-Ring is a sectional matrix. The only functional differences between
the V-Ring system and other sectional matrices are:
The V-Ring is particularly good at holding the matrix in a full anatomical
curve.
The V-Ring traps the matrix on the shoulders of the tooth and prevents
it slipping and moving away from the neighbouring contact point
The V-Ring spring is NiTi and is very resilient.
The V-Ring spans wide cavities.
The retention is better.
The tooth separation is better as the lateral force of the spring is
greater.
When you think about, it can't help but produce excellent contacts.
1. Dental Clinics of North America, Vol 45, # 1, Jan 2001, p87.
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2. Can V-Rings be used on wide cavities?
Yes! The anatomically shaped tines grip on both adjacent teeth and this
prevents the spring from falling into wide cavity preps (like other
sectional matrices).
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3. Can V-Rings be used when a cusp is missing?
Yes! Since the tines grip on both teeth either side of the contact and
also low down near the gingival margin, a V-Ring can often be used when
a cusp is missing. Depending on the anatomy, it is sometimes best to
build up the bulk of cusp before placing the V-Ring.
4. Can V-Rings be used on primary teeth?
Absolutely! V-Rings work surprisingly well on primary molars.
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5. Can V-Rings be sterilized and re-used?
Absolutely! They designed for re-use.
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6. Can V-Rings be used on MOD's?
V-Rings work really well for single Class II restorations and MOD's.
You can stack the V-Rings or have one facing mesially and the other
distally.
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7. How can the extra cost of V-Rings be justified?
V-Rings are not much more expensive than other competing systems and
the produce better results with less frustration and time spent. They
are also made of stainless steel and NiTi which lasts longer. The cost
of the consumable Tab-Matrix is similar to other sectional matrix bands.
In addition, think how much it costs you every time you have to re-do
a proximal restoration because it has a poor contact. If you try to
re-do it right away you run late and get stressed out. If you do it
later the patient "bad-mouths you" because they think you
are incompetent. You loose credibility and wasted more time with more
costs and no income when you do have to re-do it! Arrrgh!
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8. Can you use V-Rings to restore TWO adjacent
Class II cavities?
Yes. The separation that V-Rings generate is 60-80 microns, which is
great than two thicknesses of matrix.
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9. Do V-Rings work equally well on all teeth?
The V-Ring is a very veratility system and no other matrix system comes
close in this respect.
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10. How do V-Rings and Tri-Clips compare?
The V-Ring cost more to begin with but less per restoration. It takes
a tad longer to place but saves time on finishing and, in my hands,
produces the most anatomically correct restoration I have ever done.
The V-Ring is more versatile that the Tri-Clip and works well in some
really tricky situations. It is also easier to learn how to use. The
Tri-Clip costs less to get started and but more per use, and, in my
experience, works well on the first molar forward but is harder to get
in place further back, particularly in the maxilla.
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11. Do I have to hold the contact point with
a burnisher while light curing? Could I use a regular matrix and hold
the contact and then why would I need a V-Ring?
I always do this because it is so easy to do and avoids the bad contact
caused by the matrix not being in contact with the neighbouring tooth.
Quite often it is impossible to see if the matrix is actually touching
so holding is just a precaution. I reckon that this single issue is
the main cause of REALLY bad contacts. The V-Ring's function is to separate
the teeth (orthodontically) and wrap the matrix. Just as an asise, I
prefer to add a tad more curvature with my fingers before placing the
matrix as it makes more room to place the V-Ring.
A regular matrix (Tofflemire) when used on a Class II has the effect
of moving the tooth in the wrong direction by the thickness of the matrix
(because you have to get the matrix through the intact side). This means
that you have to overcome TWO thicknesses of matrix to get a tight contact.
Tofflemire also tend to produce cylindrical restorations with a poor
contour and a contact just at the marginal ridge. This method has been
tried over and over and found to be be unpredictable by most who have
tried it.
Have you watched Graeme Milicich's presentation (link on our home page
www.triodent.com) ? It is great and covers lots of very useful ground.
Free too!
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Tab-Matrix Questions
1. How do I use the Tab?
2. How do I prevent the little tab blocking my view of the cavity?
3. How do I remove the Tab-Matrix?
Tab-Matrix Questions
1. How do I use the Tab?
You simply bend the tab towards you (mesially) and hold it with any
kind of tweezers and then move it apically into the embrasure. Try to
avoid trapping gingival tissue between the matrix and the gingival margin
of the cavity.
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2. How do I prevent the little tab blocking
my view of the cavity?
While burnishing the Tab-Matrix, lift the tab over and fold it out
of the way.
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3. How do I remove the Tab-Matrix?
First lift the matrix away from the restoration to un-stick the adhesive.
Then use the special TrioDent Pin-Tweezers and grab the hole on the
wings of the Tab-Matrix and simply pull. Grabbing the Tab often rips
the tab off but the lateral holes work better.
You can also try flossing (waxed floss) between the matrix and the restoration.
In the above image, note how the Tab-Matrix has been peeled away from
the restoration so that it can be rotated about the contact point. It
will then slide out easily if you have a good grip with either the Pin-Tweezers
or hemostats.
Please note that the Tab is ONLY for placement and NOT for removal.
We are convinced that the bonding agent glues the matrix to the composite
so it is essential to unstick the matrix with a probe or flat plastic
instrument rather that keep pulling. Once you have separated the matrix
you should be able to wiggle it so that it rotates about the contact
point. It then can be wiggled out relatively easily even though you
have a very tight contact.
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