The placement of direct composite resins can be challenging, but use of the Contour-Strip anterior and Class V matrix band can simplify this process and provide more control to the practitioner. The use of a “matrix-formed-mold”, held firmly in position, then “filled” by unit dose injection will increase a dental team’s use of direct composites in the adolescent and geriatric patient where conservative restorations are warranted.

The lack of control during the placement of the uncured resins will be eliminated as the properly shaped and placed Contour-Strip—when held in place by curing a collar of light-cured resin (Ivoclar Vivadent’s Heliobond) around the outside of the placed matrix—becomes a fixed mold, which is then merely filled and cured.
The Contour-Strip is custom shaped by the dentist or a staff person in less than 45 seconds through simple rolling steps of the flat, generic, die-cut Mylar material supplied in a “tear-off” role.

Shaping

The Contour-Strip (CS) is quickly shaped by pressure “rolling” the thin Mylar, generically die-cut-shaped strip between thumb and finger to fit each tooth shape. This rolling motion creates a “U” shape with the radius dimension to match the width of tooth being restored. Note the natural curve created by being packaged on a roll.

Understanding the landmarks shown in Fig. 1 will facilitate comprehending the written instructions to follow so the staff and/or dentist can make changes to a flat matrix so that when it is properly placed it will completely isolate the prepared areas and create highly polished, perfectly sealed, periodontally ideal gingival margins with any direct composite.

1. The Contour-Strips are rapidly manipulated by rolling finger pressure to custom shape them (Fig. 2). They are packaged on a roll with die-cut tear-off sections for each individual CS. This creates a natural curve for each CS as they come off of the role.

2. Double the CS into this curve, (not against the curve) forming a “U” shape and have the tear-ends marked in red, keeping the symmetrical shape. Press against the Mylar with sufficient pressure where it forms the “U” and slide the Mylar in one direction as if rolling a tooth-pick under the pads of your finger-tips. Roll it first in one direction and then back on itself in the other direction to create a fixed “U” shape or “collar-shaped” matrix.

It needs only these two rolls for the first step. While doing these initial rolls, watch the dimension of the movement of the tear-ends, and move the same as the width of the tooth being restored (e.g., 4- to 5-mm movement for all lower anteriors and upper lateral incisors, and 8- to 9-mm for upper centrals and others). This will result in an ideal radius to fit around the tooth.

If placed around the tooth at this point (Fig. 3), the interproximal points (see Fig. 1 again) would not seek to bend around the opposite side of the prepared tooth.

3. The Interproximal Points are now rolled as shown in Fig. 3, so that the CS will wrap part of the way around the interproximal surfaces. These rolls are done to one point at a time with the angled Interproximal Point bent deeply into the sides of the CS. This shape also improves placement as it holds the CS against the tooth surfaces and guides the CS into the gingival crevice, rather than impinging on it.

Fig. 4 shows the CS after these first two shaping rolls. Note the distinct roll of the Interproximal Points. One last alteration is necessary, and that is the flaring of the emergence profile area of the CS.

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