Simon McDonald, BDS MSc DDPH RCS
Inventor of the V-Ring, Tab-Matrix and Tri-Clip.
Any good clinicians struggle when trying to consistently create perfect contacts in composite resin. There are several systems on the market that work quite well on easy cases but start failing when more tooth tissue is missing.
The new V-Ring sectional matrix system addresses most, if not all the deficiencies in these other systems.
Here is a clinical example of the V-Ring system in use. The patient was a 17 year old girl with a very deep MO cavity on the #3.
After applying the rubber-dam an elastic Double-Wedge (TrioDent) was “flossed” into the contact BEFORE prepping to depress the rubber-dam and gingival tissues and protect the rubber-dam from damage by the high-speed bur.
Figure 3 shows the completed cavity after the Double-Wedge was removed. Note how well the inter-proximal rubber-dam was protected during the preparation phase. This method prevents gingival bleeding and keeps the cavity totally contamination-free.
In this case the Double-Wedge was removed and a plastic wedge was placed, although the Double-Wedge could have been used to hold the matrix.
Figure 4 shows the placement of the Tab-Matrix and wedge. Note how the tab on the occlusal edge of the matrix was bent mesially so that it could easily be held with tweezers. Finger pressure is applied on the tab to hold the matrix in place while the wedge is positioned and this prevents the matrix from being displaced by the inward movement of the wedge.
Figure 5 shows how the V-Ring straddles over the wedge rather than competing for the space in the embrasure. Note how the pre-contoured Tab-Matrix wraps around the sides of the tooth and creates a great form.
The V-Ring also cannot collapse or dent the matrix. The outer NiTi spring generates sufficient force to separate the teeth by 60-80μ. The matrix is 30μ thick.
A bonding agent was applied and a 1mm layer of Flow-it (Pentron) flowable composite was placed in the gingival margins and Ultradent’s Vit-l-escence Pearl Neutral was cured in layers. The last layer was pulse-cured (Figure 6).
Figure 7 shows the Tab-Matrix being removed using the hole on its buccal wing with the specialised Pin-Tweezers that come with the V-Ring Intro-pack. They have a small pin and hole arrangement in the jaws of the tweezers and that are designed to engage the hole in the wings of the Tab-Matrices. These are surprisingly effective.
Figure 8, 9 and 10 show the finished restoration.
This picture shows the post-operative radiograph. No inter-proximal finishing was required.
Since its launch at the Las Vegas Townie Meeting 2005, the V-Ring had received many glowing testimonials. For more case studies search for ‘V-Ring’ on the DentalTown forums.
0 
