Get Complete Information on Dental Wedges
Dental Wedges are third component of matrix system. The invention of dental Dental Wedges was carried out primarily for achieving anatomical contours of restorations in hollow spaces between neighboring teeth associated with caries. They can be triangular or trapezoidal in cross-section. Purpose of wedge is to support the filling material during entering the hollow space and also during subsequent hardening of material in such a way that the filling material can adapt exactly to the healthy part of the tooth without undesirable overhang.
Requirement of Dental Wedges
For the matrix band to fulfill its function, the matrix band has to be approached as far possible to the shape of the tooth and has to be fixed in the position such that the filling material corresponds to the outer face of the healthy tooth and does not protrude into the embrasures.
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Over extension of filling material favors the formation of new carious lesions and periodontal pathologies.
The dental wedge has to be absolutely immovable in its position between two teeth during treatment and therefore it has to be pressed with a force, usually generated with the aid of a special instrument, until the dental wedge is maintained in position between the teeth based on friction.
Parts of Dental Wedges
It is comprised of two major parts:
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1. A rigid body configured to be inserted within an interproximal space between two adjacent teeth, which tapers from a proximal end to a distal end.
2. Flexible members protruding away from the rigid body.
Types of Dental Wedges
Dental Wedges are made up of different materials. Wood or plastic
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Advantages of wooden Dental Wedges are:
(i) They are easy to trim with a scalpel and they adapt well to the tooth surface.
(ii) Wooden Dental Wedges are more stable compared to plastic Dental Wedges.
(iii) On contact with saliva, they swell and firmly wedge between the teeth. Advantage of plastic wedge is:
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(iv) Transparent plastic wedge transmit the light and useful for composite fillings.
Sizes of Dental Wedges
The Dental Wedges are offered also in different sizes such that the selection can be made corresponding to the respective anatomy.
Shapes of Dental Wedges
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Dental Wedges can be triangular or trapezoidal in cross section. The side view of the dental wedge is comparable to a long extended, pointed converging triangle where the cross-section of the dental wedge resembles a turned over V, which is downwardly open.
The open side of V (dental wedge) comes in contact with the interdentally papilla and other side walls with greater elasticity aids in easy insertion, firm support and good adaptation to the tooth surfaces.
Dental Wedges may exhibit a dice-(cube) shaped prolongation at their broad end, inclined remote from the tip.
The base of the wedge should be slightly larger than the space between the adjacent teeth in order to separate them apart for easy insertion of matrix.
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The two lower longitudinal edges are obtusely angled off for the better adaptation to the anatomy of interdentally surfaces of tooth and also to prevent the injury to the interdentally papilla.
Some additional features:
(i) The edge is bent upward like a saber which takes care of gingival papilla at the exit point of the dental wedge. It prevents the wedge from piercing the papilla or rubber dam during placement.
(ii) The base face and the side faces of the edge are arched concavely inwardly. This curved underside leaves room for the papilla, causing less compression.
(iii) The impact edges of the base face and of the side faces of the dental wedge are rounded. This soft radius of the edge prevents trauma to the papilla during insertion and removal of wedge.
The dental wedge with these characteristic features is ideal for proper adaptation to the proximal surfaces of teeth and helps is restoring tooth with anatomically best adapted shape.
When dental wedge is pressed between the neighboring teeth and the gums, it pushes the matrix band against the tooth to be treated and simultaneously presses the teeth somewhat apart.
It creates the cervical constriction to prevent the overhang of restoration. After hardening of restorative material, when the matrix band is removed, the teeth can support each other mutually by returning into their starting position and the space previously claimed by the matrix band does not remain as a gap or as a slot opening.