Indian Matrix Bands – Stainless Steel No.8 (Straight)

To prepare the retainer to receive the band, turn the long knob to move the locking vise all the way down to the head of the retainer.
Then turn the short knob to loosen the retaining screw (the retaining screw should disengage from the sliding body).

Fold the band to form a loop; notice that when the band is folded, one edge has a smaller circumference than the other
; this design accomodates the difference in tooth circumferences at the contact and gingival levels. There are two main rules for correct placement of the matrix system on the tooth:

Open end of the retainer head is ALWAYS placed toward the gingiva.
Smaller circumference of the band is always placed toward the gingiva.
Based on the two rules above, the following is also true:

The occlusal edge of the matrix band must be placed in the retainer with the occlusal edge facing the retainer.
In the LRQ & ULQ, the screw side of retainer is faces the buccal surface of the tooth;
in the URQ & LLQ, the flat side of the retainer faces the buccal surface of the tooth.
These rules serve as a guide to how the matrix band must be positioned in the retainer.
With the rules in mind, place the two ends of the band in the slot of the locking vise (occlusal edge of the band facing the retainer)
and position the band in the correct slot of the head, such that the rules above will be satisfied. Turn the small knob clockwise,
lowering the screw into the vise and thus locking the matrix band within the retainer.

Fit the matrix onto the tooth.
The band should be seated around the tooth such that:
1. The occlusal portion of the band extends 1.5 ? 2.0 mm above the marginal ridge of the adjacent tooth
and the cavosurface margin?this allows for proper condensation of the amalgam in the marginal ridge area.
2. The gingival portion of the band extends 0.5 mm below the gingival CSM.

Tighten the matrix band around the tooth.
To tighten the matrix band around the tooth, turn the long knob; this will pull the matrix band up along with the sliding body,
thus decreasing the diameter of the matrix band and tightening it around the tooth. Tighten the matrix as much as possible around the tooth;
this allows for proper amalgam condensation and contour development.

To check that the explorer is tightly adapted to the gingival surface, use an explorer and try as hard as possible to place the tip between the
matrix band and the gingival cavosurface margin; you should not be able to do so. This also helps to remove any unsupported enamel left in the area.

Place the wedge, once it is seated tightly in the gingival embrasure, loosen the matrix band slightly by turning the knob 1/4 of a turn.
This prevents the matrix band from being too tight, which may lead to an open contact and may hinder proper condensation of the
amalgam into the proximal cavosurface margin areas

Finally, use a spoon excavator or burnisher to burnish the matrix band to the adjacent proximal contact area.

FAQs