Consultants’ Comments

• “I liked the thin band material and the minimal hardware in the mouth.”
• “The system makes it easy to restore an entire quadrant all at once.”
• “Love the wedges.”
• “The thin band may crinkle if tightened too much.”
• “Repositioning the tensioning tool to undo the band can be tricky.”
• “Need to improve the strength of the gear on the tensioning instrument so that it does not strip.”
• “Supply all the bands mounted in spools.”

Description

Maximat Plus is a matrix system for use during placement of direct restorations requiring external surface support. The system is comprised of micro-thin (0.025 mm) metal matrix bands in 5.5-mm and 6.3-mm widths, spools that matrices are wound around when tightened, and a matrix tensioning instrument. The kit contains 10 spools preloaded with matrices, 10 unloaded spools, 20 unloaded matrices, and 30 color-coded plastic wedges in four sizes. To use the system, a matrix/spool is loaded into the tensioning instrument and carried to the tooth. Tightening is accomplished by turning a ring on the instrument with thumb and forefinger while maintaining a palm grip on the instrument’s handle. Matrices may be orientated on a tooth from either the buccal or lingual surface and multiple matrices may be placed in a quadrant at one time. Maximat Plus was used in 363 restorative cases of composite and amalgam restorations and cores in 25 private practices. This product received an 88% clinical rating.

Product Features

Consultants reported that Maximat Plus greatly improved the ease of placing multiple matrices in one quadrant at the same time. Several consultants particularly liked this matrix system for core placement. The absence of retainers or rings necessary in other systems allows more working room with better visibility. Also, the bands adapt better than other matrix systems to badly broken-down teeth. Some difficulty was encountered in placing these ultra-thin bands when the proximal contacts were closed or the adjacent tooth was poorly contoured; in these cases use the pre-loaded, contoured matrices. Maximat Plus can be used with any standard posterior matrices up to a maximum width of 7 mm. Achieving quality proximal contacts requires good burnishing techniques. The plastic wedges included in the kit received good ratings. There is a definite learning curve to Maximat Plus, because loading the spools and their placement require a different technique than most traditional circumferential or ring-clamp matrix systems. Twenty-four percent of evaluators would purchase Maximat Plus and 61% would recommend it to colleagues.

Clinical Tips

• Put a hole in the band so it may be easily removed with cotton pliers.