In the previous video I mentioned how prep design was my favorite thing to talk about, but truly no pillar is more important than any other. And one thing that sets the Bioclear Method apart from all other systems out there are the Bioclear Matrices. I can honestly say that these matrices are going to be the most life-changing part of your restorative practice.

First of all, these matrices have been designed to match tooth surfaces. Specifically, they are anatomical and transparent. Now, what do I mean by that?

Anatomical.  No more straight mylar to create natural curves as found in nature.

Bioclear Matrices create natural interproximal contact shapes to the adjacent teeth. These areas are broad and wide to give stability to the contact and less food trapping, since we know that many times our contacts are too narrow, too pointed, and often too high near the occlusal.

You also get amazing marginal ridge formation with anatomical matrices. The importance of this can’t be stressed enough. Marginal ridges are the most common areas to first chip, leading to open contacts, which is failure. Deeper embrasures—along with stronger marginal ridges—are easier to floss and maintain.

Bioclear’s anatomical matrices are also designed to stay within the sulcus and, with injection molding, to create natural emergence profiles—again leading to less food trapping and a healthier tissue response. In fact, tissues love Bioclear restorations! So that’s what I mean by anatomical.

Secondly, the matrices are transparent—hence the name Bioclear. Transparency allows several things to happen:

1. Transparency increases visibility and allows light to access all areas, so you can be sure to have fully cured resin in all areas—especially critical deep areas.
2. Transparency allows for true bulk-filling, since light has access to cure all areas, whereas with metal matrices, this is impossible.
3. Transparency allows you a  to injection mold a monolithic mass of composite where the properties of composite really shine. Monolithic composite can be stronger because it lacks the seams and voids of layered techniques.
4. Composite cured against transparent mylar creates the most polished composite surface possible, smoother than any metal matrix. Another reason why tissues love Bioclear.

So that’s what I mean when I say these matrices have been matched to tooth surfaces. They are smooth, anatomical and transparent.

Now, there are several choices of matrices to give you the best opportunity to match the surface of any tooth in the mouth.

We have anterior matrices that are surface-specific, such as for the mesial of upper central incisors, which generally have a straighter contour. There are curved matrices for distal surfaces of incisors, or wherever a curved contour is advantageous. Want to learn how to veneer a peg lateral to perfection? We will show you how to do that with our curved cervical matrices. Anterior matrices come in large and small sizes for maxillary and mandibular teeth.

For diastema closure, this is now a simple procedure with our series of diastema closing matrices.

Do you have adult orthodontic patients who end up with unattractive black triangles? You can become a master at dealing with those dreaded spaces with our famous Black Triangle Matrix kit, which is fast becoming our most sought-after matrix.

And finally, we have the Bioclear 360 Matrices for adding volume, for when you need more tooth thickness.

For posterior teeth, Bioclear has a whole array of anatomical matrices designed for shorter teeth or longer teeth, rounded contacts or flat contacts such as between first and second molars. If you take our training course, you will be introduced to the new Evolve Matrix designed to reduce overhangs, create better emergence from the gingival area, and make those contact areas and marginal ridges that I discussed before. With the Evolve Matrix, even deep subgingival caries can be treated with greater ease and with greater results.

And with the training you’ll receive when you complete our live, hands-on virtual course, you’ll also learn how to customize any matrix to fit any particular need. I know that once you learn how to use the Bioclear Matrices, you will not be able to want to go back to any other matrix.

Most of our standard matrices come in two thicknesses: 50 and 75 micron. The 75 micron matrix is called our HD matrix and is designed for ease of placement because they have the strength of metal without deforming upon seating pressure. Our 50 micron matrices are for creating even tighter contacts when you need them.

In addition to the matrices themselves, our system includes the patented twin-ring separator—designed to maintain higher separating force than competitive separators—and the double nickel-titanium rings, molar and premolar don’t suffer from metal fatigue and lose separation power even after hundreds of uses. They come in two sizes for large and smaller teeth.

Finally, the Bioclear Matrix system includes diamond wedges. There is no wedge like this one. With a hollow underside to slide over and compress the papilla without crushing it, and an open diamond head, this matrix inserts easily, then re-extends itself on the opposite side for extra staying power. Though it is hollow, the diamond wedge is strong and gives a good degree of separation on its own. They come in four sizes and include our patented furcation closing wedge for interproximal concavities. This is the Bioclear Matrix system, the third pillar of the Bioclear Method. It’s unique to Bioclear, designed by a dentist, and inspired by the natural curvatures of teeth, so that we can replicate tooth forms and improve functional durability.