"In dentistry, there's a huge need for innovation. The majority of the products available for successfully performing anterior restorations have been out for a long time, yet don't necessarily provide easy and clean results," stated Dr. JD Corey, a dentist at Great Lakes Dental Excellence in Muskegon, Michigan. "However, with new product options, there's an opportunity for innovative products to positively impact our patients, our workflow, and our stress levels."
With more than 5 years of post-graduate experience, Dr. Corey strives to find new techniques and technologies to use at his practice to continue providing the best, high-quality results for his patients. However, as Dr. Corey expressed, many dental schools are still teaching older techniques using the same tools that were used in procedures 50 years ago to do anterior restorations. That is, until recently.
Continue reading this clinician interview to learn which new Garrison Dental Solutions product Dr. JD Corey has Adopted to better restore upper and lower anterior teeth.
Previous Method of Anterior Restorations
Previously, Dr. Corey had been using clear, plastic strips to perform anterior restorations. However, using these plastic strips often caused several inconveniences. One issue was that the strips often lost their shape during placement of the composite. The pressure of putting the composite onto the tooth pushes the plastic away, causing a less than ideal restoration.
Another issue was using clear, plastic strips included the need for an extra set of hands. "With the plastic strips, you have to hold it with one hand to get the composite where you want, then use your other hand to wrap the plastic strip around the other part of the tooth to form it to the shape you want," explained Dr. Corey. "When that happens, it tends to create an unpleasant open space between the filling material and the tooth next to it."
This gap could then lead to food and bacteria getting stuck in between--not only potentially increasing the rate of infection, but also making it uncomfortable for the patient.
Lastly, Dr. Corey explained that using clear, plastic strips for anterior restorations meant struggling to create a quality seal between the tooth and the composite material. He stated that, "When using the clear, plastic strips, saliva and/or blood tends to seep into where the filling was. When this happens, it risks creating contamination and moisture within the filling, which can ultimately lead to staining, infection, or a filling that fails to stay in place long-term."
Over time, using clear, plastic strips to perform anterior restorations had become a tedious process to ensure the perfect filling. However, Garrison Dental Solutions set out to change that process with their Fusion Anterior Matrix System.
The Fusion Anterior Matrix System offers an easy way to restore upper and lower anterior teeth with resin based composite that holds its form, doesn't flatten out vertically during use, stays in place when the composite is packed down into the cavity prep, and frees up an extra hand during the restoration.
"What we want as dentists is to have one method or technique that works for everything. And that's not always feasible," said Dr. Corey. "But Garrison nailed it with the Fusion Anterior Matrix System. I do most of my anterior fillings with that product."
Benefits of Using the Fusion Anterior Matrix System
Dr. JD Corey has been using the Fusion Anterior Matrix System since if first launched on March 1st, 2021. Since then, he has had the tools he needed to simply and easily perform anterior restorations. Dr. Corey further explained that the Fusion Anterior Matrix System helps him:
- Provide a better seal up against the margin
- Maintain ideal anatomy of the tooth
- Offer better interproximal gaps
- Reduce bacteria and blood contamination
Dr. Corey also went on to explain that the Fusion Anterior Matrix System allows him to stack matrix bands for these restorations--something that no other product he's used has enabled him to do. Overall, stacking matrix bands allows him to restore two cavities that are next to each other at the same time while still ensuring a great result.
"A lot of dentists, myself included, are confident in doing excellent anterior fillings with clear, plastic strips. However, the Fusion Anterior Matrix System makes it easier for me to accomplish the same great result quicker and simpler," stated Dr. Corey. "Dentistry can be complicated because each tooth, cavity, and patient is different. We're constantly running into new challenges. However, the Fusion Anterior Matrix System provides a bit more consistency with the way a tooth can be repaired."
"In my practice, I use the products that provide me with the best results. I have no brand loyalty," explained Dr. Corey. "But with Garrison Dental, I get the best quality and results."
Dr. Corey also explained that Garrison's innovation and commitment is a key factor to using them as well. "I love the innovation and the commitment to keep pushing forward with new ideas and new products within the dental industry. Garrison Dental is always willing to receive feedback from dentists and improve their products. As a dentist who works to do their best for their patients, I appreciate that aspect of their company."
A Better Way to Complete Anterior Restorations
Changing anterior filling techniques can be daunting, or even feel unnecessary when the method you've used for years still works. However, as new products and technologies become available, new ways of restoring anterior teeth might provide you with a better, more efficient, and quality result.
Garrison Dentals' Fusion Anterior Matrix System gives dentists the materials and techniques they need to restore anterior lesions quickly and confidently. We challenge you to try the Fusion Anterior Matrix System and complete your first restoration with a better result in less time. To try it out for yourself, click here to visit our product page.
A special thank you to Dr. JD Corey for discussing his experience with the system. Without dentists like Dr. Corey who are willing to expand on their training and try something new, our mission to innovate for better patient results would not be possible.
For more information, tips, and helpful videos about the Fusion Anterior Matrix System, check out our Garrison YouTube channel.