With the launch of its new Automatic Operation (AO) Suite of solutions for dental laboratories, Carbon aims to improve 3D printing workflow efficiency.

The AO Suite will launch with 3 solutions—Automatic Print Preparation, AO Backpack, and AO Polishing Cassette—and the AO Suite will be a scalable option that labs can grow with , according to a press release.

Designed to automate the preparation of 3D models for printing, the Automatic Print Preparation solution saves both time and labor. It is available paired with other parts of the AO Suite, or as a standalone software solution for Carbon printing hardware.

The new AO Backpack is an addition for the Carbon M3 printer that allows it to print for up to 14 hours in one process. This makes overnight production an option while reducing labor. The print turnover using the AO Backpack solution can be completed in less than 5 minutes, according to the press release.

The new AO Polishing Cassette applies light scattering technology to automate the surface smoothing of printed parts. The use of the cassette can enhance the quality of the printed parts while reducing post-processing time requirements.

"The launch of our Automatic Operation Suite marks a pivotal step in our journey to elevate the dental lab industry," Phil DeSimone, CEO and Co-Founder of Carbon says in the press release. "These innovative solutions embody our ongoing mission to deliver solutions that not only meet the current needs of labs but are built on the idea of continued innovation across the additive manufacturing industry.”

Articles

New solutions aim to automate dental laboratory operations to promote optimal 3D printing production efficiency.

Carbon Enhances 3D Printing Efficiency With New Automatic Operation Suite

Product Bites – February 23, 2024

Product Bites – February 23, 2024 podcast transcript

Welcome to Product Bites a weekly podcast from Dental Products Report providing you with a rundown of recently launched and updated dental technologies, materials, instruments, and everything else you might use with patients or while running your practice.

I’m your host for this week, DPR Editor Kellie Nock, and on this week’s podcast we’ve got 4 new products with launches from DEXIS, Desktop Health, Philips Sonicare, and Panthera Dental.

So let’s get to it and learn about these newly launched dental products.

Our first story technology comes from DEXIS and their Digital Ecosystem. The DEXIS digital ecosystem offers a seamless approach to managing data, processes, and patient expectations. Recently, they introduced the ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH™ OP 3D™ LX, an advanced CBCT technology, enhancing 3D diagnostic capabilities with flexible field of view options and reduced scan times. This technology not only bolsters diagnostic confidence but also supports evolving practices. The upgraded intraoral scanning software, IS ScanFlow, guided by AI-powered tools, ensures consistent acquisition of accurate data, especially in complex scanning situations. Furthermore, the enhanced DTX Studio™ Clinic acts as the central hub, integrating seamlessly with the intraoral scanning solution and prioritizing productivity and effective communication. With AI-assisted case setup, dynamic views, and automatic merging of CBCT and intraoral scans, clinicians gain the ability to manage the entire implant process seamlessly, preserving flexibility to adapt workflows based on individual case needs.

Next up, we have exciting news from Desktop Health. They've introduced an upgraded version of their renowned Flexcera resin - the Flexcera Base Ultra+. This new resin boasts a remarkable 50% increase in strength compared to its predecessor, setting new standards in dental 3D printing technology. Specifically designed for full and partial removable dentures, Flexcera Base Ultra+ offers a 70% greater resistance to deformation compared to ISO standards. This enhanced flexural strength allows for the creation of thinner wall and socket designs, improving resistance to deformation, ensuring long-term durability, precise fit, and enhanced patient comfort. In practical testing, the Einstein Pro XL demonstrated its efficiency by producing 21 Flexcera Base Ultra+ denture arches in just about 90 minutes, significantly streamlining the overall workflow for dental professionals.

Moving on, we have the Philips Sonicare Teeth Whitening Kits, exclusively available through dental professionals. These kits feature semi-customizable trays and provide safe, effective, and easy-to-use whitening solutions. With options of 6% or 9.5% hydrogen peroxide solutions, the kits offer noticeable results after just several days of use, with minimal or no sensitivity. Designed to be a grab-and-go option without requiring chairtime for creating custom trays, these kits are a convenient solution for both dental practices and patients.

Our final product today is from Panthera Dental introducing their latest innovation, the Panthera Fusion Bar. This dental appliance, crafted with both strength and esthetics in mind, aims to enhance dental restorations with unique features and a patient-centric approach. The PFB's comprehensive compatibility list allows adaptation to more than 700 different implants, eliminating the need for Multi-Unit Abutments and streamlining the restoration process. With a rounded angle at the top, a 10° buccal chamfer, and a polished intaglio surface, the PFB ensures an optimal seating position, eliminates pressure points, and provides enhanced hygiene benefits. The low-profile design eliminates the need to reduce bone, contributing to the efficiency of the restoration process. Each implant bar is customized for the specific patient, taking into consideration soft tissues, implant position, and the dental setup, ensuring a precise fit and optimal results.

That does it for this week's Product Bites from Dental Products Report. Stay up to date on all the latest dental product news by visiting dentalproductsreport.com/newdentalproducts.

I'm Kellie Nock saying thanks for listening. And we'll be back next week with all the latest new dental products on Product Bites from Dental Products Report.

Podcasts

A bite-sized look at all the latest dental product launches. This week's episode features products from DEXIS, Desktop Health, Philips Sonicare, and Panthera Dental. 

Stan Goff is a Managing Editor with MJH Life Sciences, which includes Dental Products Report, Dental Practice Management, Dental Lab Products, Modern Hygienist, and Dentist's Money Digest. He has covered the dental industry since 1999 and can be reached at sgoff@mjhlifesciences.com.  

Henry Schein's “From Claims to Collections: Trends in Dental Reimbursement” discussion took place Thursday morning in Chicago. | Image Credit: © Stan Goff

Experts in dental billing, coding and PPOs got together Thursday morning to address 3 important C’s—contracting, coding, and collecting, as a roundtable discussion hosted by Henry Schein, Inc jumpstarted this year’s Chicago Dental Society (CDS) Chicago Midwinter Meeting.

Titled “From Claims to Collections: Trends in Dental Reimbursement,” the discussion took place just prior to the opening of the exhibit hall at the 159th CDS Midwinter Meeting, February 22-24, 2024, at Chicago’s McCormick Place West building.

The discussion was moderated by Penny Reed, Chief Growth Officer, eAssist Dental Solutions. Reed is an industry veteran speaker and author with a strong background in revenue cycle management and dental practice growth.

The panel also featured Dr. James Anderson, co-founder and CEO, eAssist Dental Solutions; Christi Billquist, director of operations, Unitas PPO Solutions; and Greg Grobmyer, DDS, Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Charles Blair’s Dental Coding with Confidence, Practice Booster.

Among the topics covered were the importance to negotiate with PPOs, how critical coding and “clean claims” are to getting prompt collections; the role artificial intelligence (AI) is playing with insurance companies and clinicians; and knowing your fees based on your area and being confident to raise those fees appropriately when you should.

Working with experts who specialize in the areas of dental fee advisory solutions, the ever changing CDT code documentation and referencing, and collecting services is a must for clinicians, many of whom were not taught anything about coding while mastering their clinical skills, the panelists say.

“Since 2020, there have been over 200 code changes. I work with a lot of practices, and I know there are a ton of new codes that dentists don’t even know exist,” says Dr Grobmyer, who adds that there are another 91 code changes proposed for this year.

Dr Grobmyer notes that practices that don’t stay on top of CDT codes may be submitting claims with deleted codes that lead to denials. Just as important, practices may not be taking advantage of newer codes that would allow improved and increased collections.

“We want to audit proof your practice, protect against lawsuits and make sure you are getting what you deserve,” says Dr Grobmyer, Practice Booster's "Dental Coding with Confidence" and Insurance Solutions Newsletter editor-in-chief, and revenue enhancement program senior advisor.

“Nine percent of money collected or owed is just left out there,” he says. “That’s a large portion of the profits. Dentists need to learn proper coding practices and we’re trying to teach them.”

Both Dr Grobmyer and Dr Anderson stressed the importance of having proper documentation and clinical notes chairside and why it’s so critical to show and prove why treatments are “medically necessary.”

“Go look at your PMS [practice management system] system and review your code buttons,” Dr Anderson says. “You need to review every year and update properly.”

Dental claims management is essential to eliminating accounts receivable issues that can plague practices. Henry Schein’s eAssist is designed to help offices in collecting all insurance revenue that is rightfully owed to them.

Billquist says Unitas PPO Solutions seeks to help clinicians who have seen costs increase dramatically since COVID and at the same time have not experienced fee increases to keep up.

Unitas PPO Solutions offers services that help established PPO practices, start-up practices, fee-for-service practices, and any practice in need of credentialing help. Whether you are taking over another practice soon, adding new plans, or hiring an associate, outsourcing your credentialing needs to Unitas can deliver big time savings.

For additional information on Henry Schein’s eAssist dental solutions, 

Henry Schein’s roundtable discussion features experts in contracting, coding and collecting with advice to help today’s dental practices thrive.

“From Claims to Collections” Panel Discussion Kicks Off CDS Midwinter Meeting’s Opening Day

Align’s iTero Scanners Now Integrate with CS Imaging Version 8. Image credit: © Align © Carestream Dental


Carestream Dental has announced the integration of Align Technology's iTero™ intraoral scanners with both CS Imaging version 8 and Sensei Cloud (which is only available in the United States and United Kingdom). This collaboration offers dental practices increased flexibility in working with their preferred equipment and practice management software, resulting in simplified workflows, reduced errors, and streamlined case management, according to a press release from Carestream Dental. 

Lisa Ashby, CEO of Carestream Dental, expressed her enthusiasm in the press release for the integration, stating, "We are incredibly excited about this announcement since it is applicable to both our Carestream Dental equipment brand and our Sensei practice and patient management software brand. Ultimately, these integrations will translate into smoother, faster workflows for our equipment and software customers who use iTero intraoral scanners."

The direct integration ensures that CS Imaging can transmit all patient data to the iTero scanner with 1 click, eliminating the need for manual reentry of patient information across different software platforms. As CS Imaging serves as the core imaging database for a practice, scans performed with an iTero scanner, along with other dental images such as CBCT scans, radiographs, and intraoral camera images, are automatically consolidated in one central location, optimizing workflow efficiency. The unified display of all images on a single screen aids in enhancing patient understanding of their oral health and treatment options, ultimately leading to increased case acceptance.

For Sensei Cloud users utilizing an iTero scanner, Sensei Cloud becomes the convenient single source of truth, housing all clinical information and events in one easily accessible location. Scans conducted with an iTero scanner are automatically recorded in Sensei Cloud, minimizing the need for redundant clinical notes, and patient information is pre-populated, further streamlining the process. Sensei Cloud, the software-as-a-service platform from Sensei, serves as the comprehensive practice and patient management solution brand from Carestream Dental.

Kerri Kling, Vice President of Align lab channel and strategic accounts, highlighted the significance of syncing iTero imaging systems with key practice systems, stating, "Providing an easy way for doctors to sync the valuable data that iTero imaging systems capture with key practice systems, such as those from Carestream Dental, not only enhances practice efficiency but helps patients better understand their oral health treatment needs through visualization on the iTero scanner."

Align’s iTero scanners are now integrated with CS Imaging Version 8 to provide dental practices with more workflow options. 

Align’s iTero Scanners Now Integrate with CS Imaging Version 8

Marking a first for the dental industry, 3D Systems is introducing jetted, monolithic dentures produced using multiple materials. By producing the dentures with different materials for the gingiva and the teeth in a single print process, the final prosthetics offer durability and esthetics previously unseen in printed dentures, according to a press release.

Debuting at Lab Day Chicago 2024, this new solution is pending FDA 510(k) clearance, but 3D Systems anticipates receiving regulatory approval in the second half of 2024.

The unique materials used to print the teeth and gums in this process are each designed to meet their specific needs. NextDent® Jet Denture Teeth material provides esthetics and stain resistance, while NextDent® Jet Denture Base material offers the fracture toughness and strength required to absorb the impacts dentures face in daily use.

“With each innovation to our digital dentistry portfolio, 3D Systems has been able to help our customers transform the devices they deliver, and how clinicians deliver patient care,” Chuck Stapleton, vice president & general manager, dental, 3D Systems says in the press release. “As we announce our jetted denture solution today, I’m proud that we are once again delivering a truly unique offering to the market. We’ve combined innovation in materials and 3D printing, with software, post-processing, and applications expertise into our monolithic jetted denture solution, designed for high-volume production with unparalleled accuracy, repeatability, and lower total cost of operation. I look forward to seeing this solution change the trajectory of denture production, not only over the coming months but in the years to follow.”

Designed for large, production-style dental laboratories, this new denture workflow offers enhanced efficiencies by eliminating the need to print multiple parts that then need to be affixed together. The system also eliminates the need to design and remove multiple sets of supports, and the supports that are used can be melted off with heat, saving even more time during production, Stapleton tells 

 in an interview. The ability to design and print dentures with actual root structures in the gingiva further enhances the esthetic possibilities of the new solutions, Stapleton adds.

The new denture solution has been piloted in several dental labs including Glidewell, the world’s largest producer of restorative dental devices. With the commercial launch of this solution, Glidewell plans to expand its use, CEO Stephenie Goddard says in a press release.

“The capabilities presented by the new jetted denture solution are unmatched in the industry. The combination of 3D Systems’ high-speed printing technology and its unique materials deliver dentures with superior durability and esthetics,” she says. “I’m looking forward to our implementation of this solution later this year, and the benefits it will deliver not only for our business but for our customers and their patients.”

These dentures are printed using multiple materials in a single process to provide the optimal esthetics and performance properties for the teeth and the gingiva in a one-piece appliance.

3D Systems Launches Industry First Multi-Material Jetted Monolithic Dentures

J. MORITA Launches New Root ZX3 and HF Module | Image Credit: © J. MORITA, Inc

Housed in a new, sleek design, the Root ZX3 apex locator from J. Morita offers automatic calibration and features an overall smaller footprint, yet a larger, high-contrast display screen. The new offering is the latest generation of the company’s renowned apex locator product line with a high-frequency module for canal treatment.

J. Morita’s trusted technology, based on impedance measurement, has been independently evaluated to be 97.5% accurate and can be used in wet or dry canals, the company states.

As an optional attachment, the Root ZX3 HF Module offers a new approach for canal treatment utilizing high-frequency conduction (HFC). The module snaps easily onto the back of the apex locator and is well suited for a variety of procedures, such as gingival incision and excision, gingivoplasty, gingivectomy, hemostasis, and excision of intraoral lesions. It can also be used to aid in pulpectomies and for the ablation of pulp, dental filling material (such as gutta-percha), and tissue in/around root canals as an adjunct to root canal therapy, according to the manufacturer.

“This is essentially a whole new category for canal treatment,” says Manabu Ehara, executive vice president of J. Morita USA, in a press release. “The HF Module cleans and prepares the canal in a way that conventional methods simply cannot accomplish. The company has a long history of innovation in endodontics; this product is yet another step forward in improving efficiency and treatment outcomes.”

The Root ZX3 apex locator and HF Module will be on display at this week’s CDS Chicago Midwinter Meeting, February 22-24, 2024. Clinicians are invited to stop by the MORITA booth, #2208, for a free Bluetooth speaker with a short product introduction (while supplies last).

The products designed to offer a new approach for endodontic therapy will be showcased at Chicago Midwinter Meeting. 

J. Morita Launches New Root ZX3 and HF Module 

On-demand dental staffing platform Toothio has announced its expansion to Orlando, Florida, a move designed to address sweeping shifts in the dental labor market.

The company says its strategic decision to expand into Orlando was driven by the city's growing population and the increase in demand for dental professionals. By expanding its services into Orlando, Toothio aims to bridge the gap between short-staffed dental offices seeking skilled professionals and dental professionals seeking flexible career opportunities.

"Every dental practice in the United States today intimately understands the challenges of staffing their office. Toothio solves this problem by connecting credentialed, friendly dental hygienists, assistants, and receptionists with offices that rely on these important workers," says Ian Prendergast, co-founder, and CEO of Toothio, in a press release. "Dental professionals now prioritize flexible work and same day pay, but existing solutions have failed to keep up. Our focus is on revitalizing the dental ecosystem through innovation, and we are excited about offering a modern, convenient, and seamless staffing solution to Orlando."

Toothio has facilitated tens of thousands of completed shifts with a 97% fill rate, more than doubled revenue, and expanded to Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Austin since its founding in 2021, the company states.

Toothio's mission is to alleviate the staffing challenges faced by dentists by providing on-demand access to hygienists and assistants. The staffing platform is designed to enable dental practices to quickly increase office production and better support their patients. Toothio offers oral health caregivers freedom and flexibility, making it a leading labor option for those in the dental industry. For more information about Toothio's platform, visit 

The company’s solution comes to Orlando with plans to empower professionals and dental practices in Florida.

Toothio’s Dental Staffing Solution Expands to Serve Florida

Planmeca to Partner with Benevis. Image credit: © Benevis


Planmeca, a leading provider of dental imaging technologies, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Benevis, encompassing 120 dental offices spread across 13 states and Washington, D.C. This collaboration is set to make a substantial impact by addressing the dental needs of underserved patients, according to a press release from the companies.

The commitment from Planmeca involves equipping Benevis’ dental offices with a comprehensive suite of advanced dental imaging equipment. This includes Planmeca 2D extraoral imaging units, Planmeca ProX™ intraoral X-rays, Planmeca ProSensor® HD intraoral sensors, and Planmeca Emerald® S intraoral scanners. These imaging technologies will be utilized in the treatment of over 600,000 patients annually across Benevis sites, which provide general dentistry, orthodontic, and specialty care with a focus on pediatric patients.

The collaboration aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of dental care in underserved communities. The product quality offered by Planmeca, combined with customer service provided by Henry Schein Dental, the dental division of Henry Schein, Inc., and the educational resources of Planmeca Digital Academy, reinforce Benevis' commitment to delivering high-quality and accessible dental care, per the press release.

Benevis underwent a thorough review process, examining clinical, operational, and technological aspects alongside the Planmeca team, to ensure a seamless integration of the advanced imaging technologies. This meticulous evaluation process underscores the dedication of both parties to maintaining high standards of care.

Rudy Wolf, Vice President of Sales and Strategic Accounts at Planmeca, expressed satisfaction with the evolving relationship, stating, "We are pleased with the development of the relationship and are honored to be part of Benevis' outreach to care. The Benevis team looked at the benefits of the integrated Planmeca solution – from imaging to intraoral scanning, and Planmeca became the optimal partner."

Will Alexander, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Operations and CIO at Benevis, highlighted the transformative impact in the press release that this partnership is expected to have on their dental offices. "The integration of Planmeca's cutting-edge imaging and scanning technologies aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing high-quality dental care," Alexander said. "This collaboration represents a significant step forward in advancing our technological capabilities and enhancing the overall patient experience."

The partnership signifies a positive development in the dental industry, promising improved access to top-tier dental care for a significant number of patients served by Benevis.

Planmeca will team up with Benevis to provide a variety of digital imaging technologies to its dental practices, bolstering care for patients across the United States. 

Planmeca to Partner with Benevis

Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting Returns This Week | Image Credit: © SeanPavonePhoto - stock.adobe.com

If it’s late February in Chicago it means we’re in store for one of the biggest weeks each year in dental education, networking, and new product launches for clinicians and dental labs.

The 159th Chicago Dental Society (CDS) Midwinter Meeting takes place February 22-24, 2024, at Chicago’s McCormick Place West building. While one of the largest dental meetings in the country is taking place, just a few miles up the road from McCormick Place, LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024 will be held on the same dates at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

 will be on hand to bring our readers the latest news from both events. If you’re at CDS Midwinter, be sure to stop by our 

booth at #908 where we’ll be shooting videos, handing out magazines and meeting with industry leaders.

The Midwinter Meeting is renowned for its scientific programming, great networking events and opportunities, and its expansive exhibit hall. The annual February meeting offers attendees access to more than 230 CE-accredited courses taught by the best clinicians and leaders in dental education.

CDS President David Lewis Jr, DDS, talked to 

recently about all the different offerings that will be available at the 2024 meeting.

“There are so many different ways with the CE, access to the exhibit floor for new products and techniques, and also the networking, that you can build your future through these different aspects of the meeting,” Dr Lewis says. “I think the Midwinter Meeting is still a great way to get to get all your CE that you need or sprinkle it in to add the spice to these other programs that you're engaging with.”

The Midwinter Meeting is a place for clinicians and their teams to receive the latest practice management solutions and evidenced-based clinical knowledge to strengthen their business practices and provide the best possible care for patients.

Each year, hundreds of companies attend the Midwinter Meeting to showcase their latest dental innovations. The exhibit hall showcases the latest products and services from up-and-coming companies and household brands.

Dental professionals can test, learn about and purchase products and services designed to improve patient care. CDS once again has special events planned to provide fun networking experiences, including the Sips, Suds & Sales and receptions for Early Career dentists and dental students. On Friday afternoon, the Sips, Suds & Sales reception featuring wine and beer will occur on the exhibit floor in the afternoon from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m., allowing all attendees to consider purchases from exhibitors in a relaxed social atmosphere. It’s a great way to finish your day or start your evening with colleagues.

For information on the educational opportunities, click here for the 

the largest dental laboratory event in each year in America, features plenty of exhibitors and plenty of education.

For more information on the venue and the courses, visit these websites—

This significant week also means LMT Lab Day Chicago 2024 is back as the dental industry converges on Chicago.

Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting Returns This Week

Making Sense of Matrices. Image credit: © zlikovec – stock.adobe.com

Using a matrix during restorative work contributes to case outcomes in multiple ways. We examine how matrices help with restorative work, why they increase success, what makes a system helpful, and what options are available for different cases.

How a Dental Matrix System Can Help with Restorative Dentistry

Jason Goodchild, DMD, Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Premier Dental Products Company, says the most common direct posterior restoration is Class II per the American Dental Association (ADA). And that proper restoration of interproximal areas via an efficient matrix system is critical to restorative success.

Along with the proper materials and techniques, understanding the mouth’s form and function is essential to avoid poor outcomes for restorative cases. The matrix system helps shape and contour dental restorations by maintaining their form during placement and setting.

A flexible band that wraps around a natural tooth, the dental matrix conforms to the tooth's surface, recreating the natural curves and walls possibly missing in the interproximal area. This band holds the restorative dental material in place, ensuring the completed restoration takes the right shape and fits well between adjacent teeth.2 Matrices also allow clinicians to create a non-retentive surface finish for plaque or food debris, reducing the chances of secondary caries. Additionally, using a dental matrix for your restorative work increases the longevity of composite restorations and protects the adjacent teeth during cavitary prep.

Before everyone was using composite for these restorative procedures, clinicians used amalgam. The Tofflemire-type systems worked well with that material, Dr Goodchild explains. However, dentists needed a new solution since the migration to dental composite materials, which clinicians cannot pack into the system the same way they could when using amalgam. Hence, the sectional matrix systems came into play around 20 years ago.

“Those sectional matrices had 3 pieces: a ring, a matrix, and a wedge. The wedge is supposed to push the matrix against the tooth, but the ring is designed to separate the tooth to account for the thickness of the matrix and to help achieve proper contact,” Dr Goodchild says. “The matrices are usually pretty contoured, designed primarily for composite.”

Why Does Proper Recreation of the Interproximal Area Matter?

Restoring the interproximal area is critical. The contact area, the interproximal niche, and the triangular-shaped interdental papilla are crucial in protecting the gums. However, having proper contact between teeth also contributes to the stability of the dental arches by providing combined support.

Proper interproximal contact also avoids future oral health problems. Improper contact or having open spaces between teeth can cause misalignment in the arch. It also contributes to oral health issues like food getting stuck in gaps, bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

What Characteristics Make a Dental Matrix Helpful?

A few qualities of a dental matrix system can help improve your treatment workflow. Per DentalTix, a dental supplies distributor in Spain, there are a few characteristics of a helpful dental matrix

It needs to be stiff for easy insertion between teeth.

It must work well with the restorative materials. (For example, celluloid matrices can interfere with acrylic resin settings. Also, adhesives might stick the restorative material to the matrix, hindering removal.)

It should adapt easily to the tooth's shape and secure a snug fit with minimal pressure.

It should have enough flexibility for contouring and adapting to restoration edges.

It must resist pressure to stay in place during condensation, preventing slipping.

It should have a minimal thickness to prevent excessive space between adjacent teeth and facilitate easy removal upon completion.

DentalTix also explains that dental matrix systems have different types. Some differ in material, with metal options like steel or titanium and plastic choices such as acetate or celluloid, which may be less durable but permit the passage of photopolymerization light. Also, some matrices are universal and standardized, like Tofflemire-type matrices, while others are custom-made by dentists for specific cases. Additionally, some matrices have fixed shapes due to their elastic memory, while others, like laminated matrices, can be modified to enhance contour and contact points. Finally, adaptation systems differ, meaning some matrices remain stable without a holder, while others require one for proper adaptation.

Two types of dental matrix systems are circumferential and sectional:

 are already shaped in 3 dimensions and, when combined with wedges and separators, create tight contacts between teeth. They are comfortable and provide good visibility for quick work on a section of teeth. 

 are shaped like natural teeth, and have a long lifespan. Dentists use sectional matrices when they want to achieve the best tooth shape and function and save as much of the natural tooth structure as possible.

 study suggests sectional matrices can be challenging. First, they require specific techniques, which could lead inexperienced clinicians to use circumferential matrices even if sectional matrices might lead to better clinical outcomes. Second, sectional matrices have numerous options. For dentists with limited experience in this area, choosing the optimal sectional matrix system can feel overwhelming. Additionally, sectional matrix techniques with separating rings establish predictable contact areas but could lead to a concavity in the restored surface there. This concavity is hard to clean, allowing the buildup of biofilm that could go unnoticed clinically, leading to caries on the neighboring surface of an untreated tooth.

That same study says that circumferential matrices have some drawbacks, too. Recreating a natural emergence is challenging, making achieving a proper contact area difficult. Also, contact might exist as a single point rather than a broad area and in a non-natural position. This situation results in a ridge more prone to fracture and a flatter emergence form that can catch and shred floss, leading to patient complaints. Combining a higher or non-existent contact point and a flatter, non-natural cervical emergence increases the chances of incomplete papilla infill, creating spaces below the contact point where food can get stuck. Additionally, the design of the circumferential matrix holder can also limit access for wedge placement, impacting their effectiveness.

A 2021 study looked at the performance of each of these types with respect to pediatric patients. The researchers determined that the circumferential matrices were more time-efficient, but the sectional matrices produced more restorations with ideal contacts. Overall, the preference favored the circumferential matrix band system for its efficiency, except when clinicians were aiming for ideal contacts in pediatric cases.

A 2016 paper suggests the specific matrix system significantly influenced tooth anatomy and treatment success. The paper also looked at the evidence for the advantages and disadvantages of the various dental matrix types, which include the following

Show fewer problems with marginal overhangs.

Decrease the occurrence of marginal overhangs.

Interproximal contacts may not be as tight.

Traditional bands may have more problems with fitting.

Dr Goodchild says that like most dental materials and systems, clinician develop a feel for a given system and tend to stick to it. Some of the common Matrix Systems that clinicians choose are the Garrison’s Strata-G,Palodent Plus, Premier X5 Sectional Matrix System, andUltradent’s Halo Sectional Matrix System. Each have their distinguishing characteristics that may appeal to a clinician.

For example, the Premier X5 Sectional Matrix System comes with 10 Universal Matrix Rings made of their proprietary resin. This feature makes it possible to have more rings in the practice without being concerned about accidentally throwing one away. By contrast, the rings in other systems can be expensive to replace.

“We came up with this idea of having a resin that will hold its shape and create the separating force, but it's less than $4 per ring. So, you can buy a bag of 30 rings and have enough rings around the office. Or they could be used in a school where they can become disposable after single-patient use,” Dr Goodchild explains. “It’s just a different approach, and all of it will work. Do you like to have 1 ring that you protect with your life and don't throw that thing away, or do you have 30 rings lying around that you can throw away and pick up a brand new one each time?”

Brett Richins, DMD, Clinical Advisor for Ultradent Products, Inc., writes on the Ultradent Blog that his preferred choice for regular Class II restorations with well-aligned adjacent teeth and no major damage is a sectional matrix system.6 Sectional matrix systems offer a fast and reliable way to achieve good results. However, having circumferential bands as part of the tools is crucial. In specific situations, like when there's no adjacent tooth or restoring the buccal or lingual surface, Dr Richins prefers circumferential bands. In the past, when he was focused solely on sectional bands, he would sometimes try to rebuild these teeth without any matrix system. Now, he realizes that circumferential bands help him quickly and easily place a restoration in the intended area, avoiding frustrating situations.

In Dr Richins's Salt Lake City practice, circumferential bands prove helpful when dealing with patients who have missing cusps, a situation where sectional matrices may result in under-contoured restorations due to insufficient tooth structure support. Additionally, circumferential bands are particularly advantageous in pediatric cases, where placing sectional bands on primary teeth can be challenging, and achieving critical contours is less straightforward. For restoring MOD in primary teeth, circumferential bands are often more stable and efficient in Dr Richins' approach.

Dr Goodchild says that many clinicians have likely adopted a sectional matrix system. However, sectional matrices require more technique to place than a Tofflemire-type, and the case's complexity (e.g., the morphology or existence of misalignment makes it difficult to seat the ring) can steepen the technique’s difficulty. Likewise, multiple restorations in a quadrant increases the technical difficulty of using a sectional matrix. Dr Goodchild says he might use a Tofflemire-type, or both systems in some of those more complicated cases.

“When I have a Class II on my schedule, I plan to use a sectional, but sometimes it doesn't work, or I can't get it seated. So, I still need a Tofflemire-type matrix system in my office,” Dr Goodchild says. “There is always the right tool for the right job.”

Vaishnavi Rajendra Patekar, V. R., et al. Choice of Matrix System in Dentistry. Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.jrmds.in/articles/choice-of-matrix-system-in-dentistry.pdf

The definitive guide to dental matrices: choose the best one for each case. Dentaltix. Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.dentaltix.com/en/blog/definitive-guide-dental-matrices-choose-best-one-each-case 

Bhatia HP, Sood S, Sharma N, Singh A, Rajagopal V. Comparative Evaluation of Clinical Efficiency and Patient Acceptability toward the Use of Circumferential Matrix and Sectional Matrix for Restoration of Class II Cavities in Primary Molars: An In Vivo Study. 

. 2021;14(6):748-751. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2060

Bailey, O. Sectional matrix solutions: the distorted truth. 

, 547–555 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3608-5

Owens BM, Phebus JG. An evidence-based review of dental matrix systems. 

Circumferential Vs. Sectional Matrix Bands, The Arch. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://blog.ultradent.com/circumferential-vs.-sectional-matrix-bands#:~:text=Sectional%20matrix%20systems%20are%20my,way%20to%20achieve%20ideal%20outcomes

Matrix use during restorative dentistry contributes to case success. We examine how, why, and what different types of matrices can do for which cases to help your clinical outcomes. 