Dental Glass Fiber Splinting
Ideal for:
- Orthodontic lingual retainers
- Periodontic and traumatic splinting
- Single tooth space maintainers/flippers
Main advantages of using the Fast Splint Matrix® technique (using a silicone matrix):
- Less technique sensitive than all-manual placement methods
- Better compression of fibers and adaptation to tooth surfaces
- More precise positioning and ultimate fit of the splint, retainer or space maintainer
- More accessible to a wider range of dental auxiliaries and technicians
- Splints, retainers, and space maintainers can be made indirectly on a model
The Fast Splint Matrix® fibers can also be use with a traditional manuel technique.
Dental Glass Fibers
Dental fibers have been in use for various splinting and reinforcement applications for many years and in the last few years have progressed significantly in their quality and ease of use. Current generation materials are in fact a lot more alike than they are different. The better materials, like Fast Splint Matrix® fibers, are made from a glass fiber and are pre-impregnated in a light cure resin. The pre-impregnation makes the fibers easier to handle and stronger as well, as the resin/glass matrix is more homogeneous due to better resin penetration into the glass bundles. It also results in a chemical bond to the bonding and composite materials that are used in the complete process.
The Fast Splint Matrix® Difference
The use of glass fibers versus metallic options is attractive to dental professionals because they allow for an effective bond to tooth structures when applied correctly, resulting in strong and durable splinting. In addition, fibers are also highly esthetic.
The innovation with the Fast Splint Matrix® technique is the use of an index or matrix that simplifies and speeds up the placement of the fibers and compresses the fibers evenly and intimately to the tooth surfaces, thereby improving overall bonding effectiveness and the durability of the splint, retainer, or space maintainer. The Fast Splint Matrix® technique also results in the retainer/splint being positioned exactly where planned.
The Fast Splint Matrix® technique will accommodate different workflows, allowing users to fabricate splints, retainers and space maintainers either directly in-mouth or indirectly on a model - whatever works better in your situation! Indirect fabrication can be performed by in-house staff or by any dental lab, freeing up chair time and allowing dentists to maximize the profitable use of clinical time.
When using a silicone matrix technique - Fast Splint Matrix® is more than fibers!
Fast Splint Matrix® is about more than the fibers. Fast Splint Matrix® is a concept of using components to make the fabrication and placement of fiber splints and retainers easier, faster, and more precise. Two of the key elements are:
A) Special Gauge Spacer Wax:
The Fast Splint Matrix® technique uses a special gauge sticky spacer wax that is used to precisely define the desired position of the splint or retainer. This “indexing” pays off when the silicone matrix is made (see image) and assures that the fiber splint/retainer is ultimately positioned exactly where intended.
B) Matrix/Index:
The Fast Splint Matrix® technique incorporates the fabrication of a matrix or index using clear vinyl silicone. This matrix serves several purposes:
- With the spacer wax, records the exact intended position of the splint/retainer
- Creates a record of the area to be splinted
- Compresses the fibers
- Acts as a carrier for the fibers when placed
- Simplifies and speeds placement of the fibers intra-orally
- Permits accurate positioning of the fibers intra-orally
