WO2008037250A1

WO2008037250A1 - Preformed dentistry matrix band

Info

Publication number: WO2008037250A1
Application number: PCT/DK2006/000529
Authority: WO
Inventors: Flemming Brandt
Original assignee: Center For Odontological Developments Aps
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2006-09-28
Publication date: 2008-04-03

Abstract

Dental matrix band (l), optionally as part of a tooth repair kit, comprising a flexible, foil like sheet (2) having a bent, tooth circumscribing portion (3) with a bending adapted to generally surround a pre-selected tooth, characterised in that the tooth circumscribing portion has a lateral extension (D) which is less than the cross sectional extension (W) of the preselected tooth for exerting a flexible compressing action against the tooth when placed around the tooth.

Description

Preformed dentistry matrix band

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dental matrix band comprising a flexible, foil like sheet having a bent, tooth circumscribing portion with a bending adapted to generally surround a pre-selected tooth. It also relates to a combination of such a dental matrix band and adapted tweezers for holding the matrix band, a tooth repair kit and a method for repairing a tooth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Matrix bands are used during tooth repair, where the matrix band, typically a foil-like metal band or a polymer sheet is wrapped around the tooth to be repaired and held in place by a retainer. The matrix band facilitates the maintaining the restorative material in the cavity until the material cures and is removed from the tooth once the restora- tive material is set.

A number of different types of matrix bands exist, for example straight, thin polymer or metal sheets with a width of typically 7.5 mm or 10 mm dependent on the type of tooth for which is should be used. The material is flexible with a flexion force towards the straightness of the sheet. This disadvantageously implies that the sheet easily slides away from the desired position between the teeth in the time lap between the insertion of the matrix and the fixation of the matrix with a tool such as complicated holders, as disclosed in US patent No. 5,622,496 by Champagne, and elastomeric cords, so-called Wedjets® as disclosed in US patent No. 5,104,317 by Riazi and commercially available by the company Hygenic®. When sliding away from the teeth, there is a risk for the matrix of being sucked out by the vacuum instrument used in the mouth of the patient or even a risk for being swallowed by the patient. Furthermore, such matrices are easily displaced during placement of a wedge or when a fixation tool is applied. Furthermore, there is a risk for displacement of the matrix by the tongue, before it is secured by a wedge. The fixation procedure is time consuming, which is annoying for the patient and the dentist. This makes the operation more difficult than necessary, time consuming and, therefore, more expensive. A different kind of matrices comprise a flexible, foil like sheet having a bent, tooth circumscribing portion with a bending adapted to generally surround a pre-selected tooth and with a tightening tool connected to arms extending from the bent portion in order to tighten the matrix band around the tooth when pulling the arms by the metal holder. The bent portion is much larger than the extension of the tooth in order to easily be placed around the tooth. However, the matrix is difficult to adapt to the cavity of the tooth, and tightening of the tool is unpleasant for the patient to have in the mouth.

DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, there is a need for improvements in the art. It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a new type of dental matrix which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages. Especially, it is the object of the invention to provide a dental matrix that is easy to adapt to the cavity and reduces the time for handling. In addition, the risk for getting the matrix sucked out by the vacuum instrument or the risk for the patient swallowing the matrix shall be reduced.

This purpose is achieved by a dental matrix band comprising a flexible, foil like sheet having a bent, tooth circumscribing portion with a bending adapted to generally sur- round a pre-selected tooth, wherein the tooth circumscribing portion has a lateral extension which is less than the cross sectional extension of the pre-selected tooth for exerting a flexible compressing action against the tooth when placed around the tooth.

With such a matrix band, the act of placing the matrix between adjacent teeth implies at the same time that the matrix band is held in place by the squeezing-like force against the surface of the tooth in the bent portion. As the tooth is partly embraced by the bent portion, it is fixed in place and additional fastening with commonly used wedges or, alternatively, with commercially available Wedjets® is facilitated. As disclosed in US patent No. 5,104, 317 by Riazi, such Wedjets® are elastomeric cords having a first cross-sectional area at relaxation and a second, smaller cross-sectional area at elongation. For use in connection with the invention, the cord is stretched and with the second cross-sectional area interposed between a pair of adjacent teeth in order to fix a matrix to a tooth to be repaired. After placement of the cord, the cord is relaxed again and expands to the first cross-sectional area to forms an elastomeric wedge between the teeth in order to retain the matrix in place. Alternatively, such cords may be wound around a tooth to be repaired.

Different cross sectional embodiments are described in US patent No. 5,104, 317 by Riazi, though, an oval or elliptical cross section is not disclosed. However, experiments have revealed that such a cross section is very useful, especially for teeth with long necks. Such an elastomeric cord with oval or elliptical cross section having a first cross-sectional area at relaxation and a second, smaller cross-sectional area at elongation is useful in connection with matrices according to the invention but may also be used in other connections in dentistry, for example for a method of prior art, such as disclosed in in US patent No. 5,104, 317 by Riazi. Though not strictly in the sense of the present invention with the matrices, use of such formed elastomeric cords for dental repair is nevertheless a general further development in dentistry along the lines in US patent No. 5,104, 317 by Riazi - even when used without matrices according to the invention, for example when used in connection with dental dams.

An even further development of elastomeric cords in dentistry comprises an elastomeric cord which has a cross section that varies along the cord. For example, the cord may be thicker over a certain length than over another length. Such cords are advantageous for teeth that have a narrow space between the crowns of adjacent teeth but which have a large space between the necks of the adjacent teeth. The advantage is that the cord in elongated state with its thin section may fit in these very narrow spaces between adjacent teeth and, nevertheless, fill rather broad spaces between the necks of the adjacent teeth if the elongated cord is pulled until the thick part is located between the necks of the teeth.

hi one possible practical embodiment, the cord has a decreasing cross section from one end to the other end. This gives the possibility of continuously varying the thickness of the relaxed cord between the teeth, such that the correct thickness can be found for the actual situation. In a second, practical embodiment, the cord has a cross section which is alternating between different cross sections.

In order for the matrix band to exert flexible compressing action against the tooth when placed around the tooth, the bending of the bent, tooth circumscribing portion should be around 180 degrees or more. Slightly less than 180 degrees, such as 170 degrees, may in some situations suffice, but is preferred that the bending is more than 160 degrees.

In order for the matrix band to be placed at the correct location, it is an advantage, if the tooth circumscribing portion extends into at least one arm. This portion may act like a handle for handling of the matrix band. Such a handle may be bent in a direction opposite of the bending of the matrix in order to always be adapted to have a direction towards the mouth opening, from which the end of the tweezers extend.

It may be preferred for the tooth circumscribing portion to extend between and merge with a pair of arms in order to have two possibilities for appropriate handling of the matrix. For example, the pair of arms may extend straight in approximately parallel directions or extending straight with a decreasing mutual distance towards their ends.

In a further embodiment, the tooth circumscribing portion extends between and merges with a pair of arms, the arms being curved for fitting of the first arm to the concave back of a tooth and the other arm to the convex front of the tooth, in this case, it is not necessary to press the matrix against the tooth for better fit. The advantage thereof readily outweighs the necessity of providing matrices for right and for left sided use.

In a further embodiment, the arm or the arms have rounded ends in order to prevent pain or even lesions due to any sharp edge at the end of the arm or arms.

Especially with front teeth, the straight matrix bands according to prior art suffer from the fact that they do not cover the cavity sufficiently, or they cut into the gum, provoking gingival bleeding, especially in soft or sore gingival tissue, if they are placed too deep around the tooth. However, avoidance of bleeding is essential for a proper result in adhesive techniques. In order to achieve an improvement, the matrix band according to the invention in a further development has a bent, tooth subscribing portion that has a varying height decreasing smoothly curving towards the arm or arms. This implies that the highest portion of the matrix can be placed in the dental pockets of the embraced tooth without damaging the soft tissue and at the same time cover even deeper cavities below the marginal tissue. This also is valid for the situation where the soft tissue is farther away from the crown (gingival retraction) on every side of the tooth. This embodiment ensures that flushing water and introduced material is safely held inside the matrix and does not leak out through openings due to mismatching matrix bands relative to the tooth surface. Furthermore, the varying height results in a better hold of the matrix band due to the larger contact area between the matrix and the tooth.

The decrease of the height of the matrix from the bend part towards the arms has an important advantage. During preparation for the tooth repair and also during and after the repair, the matrix arms can be bent away from the tooth without having to retract the higher, bent part that is placed in the dental pocket. Especially, in connection with

Wedgets®, these may be used to fasten the high part of the matrix according to the invention to the tooth, whereas there is still a possibility to bend the more narrow arms to the side for better access.

The depth of the dental pockets may vary from patient to patient. Therefore, it may be of advantage to be able to quickly and easily adapt the height of the matrix to the depth of the tooth cavity in dependence of the tooth to which the matrix is applied. This may be performed by cutting part of the matrix such that the height of the matrix for this part that goes into the tooth pocket is reduced. In order to facilitate this operation, in a further embodiment, the outer, convex side of the bent, tooth circumscribing portion has cutting line markings. It is very time saving and can be done not only by the dentist but also by the chair assistant. The matrix is configured to keep the form despite the cutting action.

A typical extension of the bent, tooth circumscribing portion of a matrix band according to the invention is between 5 mm and 7 mm, preferably around 6 mm, when used for premolar teeth. The 6 mm size is normally useful for adult teeth that have a slightly larger cross section. For molar teeth, the extension is larger, namely between 8 and 11 mm, preferably around 10 mm. In a further embodiment, the width h of the arm or arms is between 4 mm and 6 mm and increase to a value H between 7 mm and 8 mm, preferably around 7.5 mm, in the middle portion.

As experiments have revealed that for matrix bands according to the invention when used for front teeth is easy to work with when having a length of between 40 and 60 mm, preferably around 50 mm. This is in contrast to matrix bands according to prior art, which for front teeth typically have a length of 100 mm.

A further advantage is the fact that flow of liquids in and around the tooth is easily controlled due the tight contact between the squeezing matrix and the embraces tooth. This advantage is the more pronounced, if the bent part of the matrix in the region that is used to fit into the dental pocket is rounded towards the concave side. In this way, also, a deep cavity in the tooth is properly covered by the matrix during repair. The rounding may extend from the lower end of the bent portion and a distance d of a few millimetres from there, preferably at least 2 mm.

The rounded portion has another important advantage. During preparation for the tooth repair and also during and after the repair, the matrix arms can be bent away from the tooth without having to retract the higher, bent part that is placed in the dental pocket. In this case, the gum around the tooth to be repaired is pressed gently away from the tooth at the same time, which is an advantage for repair work when composite filling material is applied.

The matrix according to the invention is typically applied with the parallel or nearly parallel arms extending parallel with the row of teeth. This is possible due to the flexible compression around the tooth such that no additional tightening force has to be applied. Also, this implies that the matrix has only to be placed between the tooth to be repaired and one neighbouring tooth, which makes the application of a matrix ac- cording to the invention much easier and faster, especially, because tweezers for placement of the matrix band during the placement have their ends near to the teeth and do not have to fight for space with the tong or cheek of the patient. Application of the matrix according to the invention is in contrast to a commonly used tooth- surrounding matrix, which is also disclosed in US 5,622,496 by Champagne, where the matrix is placed between the tooth to be repaired and both neighbouring teeth. The latter implies that the placement of the matrix between the tooth to be repaired and the second neighbouring tooth presses the tooth to be repaired towards the first neighbouring tooth. If the tooth to be repaired has a cavity in a position adjacent to the first neighbouring tooth, the pressing of the tooth to be repaired towards the first neighbouring may result in a smaller space than desired for the repair of the cavity. The final result is an inferior filling of the cavity. In contrast, a matrix according to the invention only requires the placement between the tooth to be repaired and the first neighbouring tooth. Thereby the above explained inferior result is avoided.

Experiments have revealed that a matrix band according to the invention advantageously may be provided with a handle portion comprising a hole adapted to tweezers with a corresponding knob at and end part of the tweezers, where the knob is configured for mating interaction with the hole for secure holding of the matrix band by the end part of the tweezers. For further safe holding of the matrix band by the tweezers, the tweezers may have a roughened surface for increased friction against the handle of the dental matrix band.

The hole in the matrix band may be used as well to secure that the matrix band is not accidentally swallowed by the patient. The hole may be used for wires or dental floss to be fastened to the matrix, where the wires or dental floss prevent the matrix to reach the throat of the patient.

Matrix bands according to the invention are typically made of polymer or metal or combinations thereof.

In the foregoing, the matrix according to the invention has been described in connection with Wedjets®. Therefore, in a further embodiment, the invention comprises a tooth repair kit comprising a matrix according to the invention and an elastomeric cord, for example a Wedjets as disclosed in US patent No. 5,104,317 by Riazi. The elastomeric cord having a first cross sectional area at relaxation and a second, smaller cross sectional area at elongation. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where FIG. 1 illustrates a matrix according to the invention, where FIG. Ia illustrates the foil like sheet when folded apart, FIG. Ib shows the matrix band in a perspective view, FIG. Ic is a side view, and FIG. Id a top view. FIG. 2 illustrates a different embodiment, where FIG. 2a is a perspective view and

FIG. 2b a top view, FIG. 3 illustrates application of a matrix band, FIG. 4 shows tweezers to be used with a matrix band, FIG. 5 illustrates cutting markings on a matrix band, FIG. 6 illustrates different elastomeric cords for dentistry, FIG. 7 illustrates an application of the matrix according to the invention, FIG. 8 illustrates a wedge for use in connection with an elastomeric cord.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION / PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a matrix 1 according to the invention, where FIG. Ia illustrates the foil like sheet when folded apart, FIG. Ib shows the matrix band in a perspective view, FIG. Ic is a side view, and FIG. Id a top view.

The matrix band 1 according to the invention has a flexible, foil like sheet 2 having a bent, tooth circumscribing portion 3 with a bending adapted to generally surround a pre-selected tooth. The matrix band may be provided with two arms 4 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or with one arm as illustrated in FIG. 2, where FIG. 2a is a perspective view and FIG. 2b is a top view. The arms 4 are suitable for handling of the matrix band 1 when placing at the correct location inside the mouth of the patient.

Application of the matrix band 1 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 3, where two matrix bands of the type of FIG. 2 have been applied to the same molar tooth 5. It is pro- nounced that the tooth circumscribing portion 3 has a lateral extension D which is less than the cross sectional extension W of the pre-selected tooth 5 in order for the matrix 3 to exert a flexible compressing action against the tooth 5 when placed around the tooth 5 as illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, the matrix band 1 according to the invention has a bending of 180 degrees, however, the bending may be more or slightly less. If the bending is more that 180 degrees, the anus would bend towards each other. Shown are embodiments with straight arms, but this is not limiting the invention, as also slightly bending arms can be used or even with corrugated handle portions for better grip. Essential is that the bending embraces the tooth sufficiently for the matrix band to be able to clamp around the tooth in order for the band to be safely secured to the tooth.

The matrix band as shown in FIG. 1 and 2 have rounded edges 7 in order to minimise the risk for injuries and/or pain in the mouth of the patient. The two embodiments in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of the matrix band 1 have a bent portion 3 that has a varying height decreasing, smoothly curving towards the arm 4 or arms 4. The bent portion 3 decreases from a first height H to a smaller height h of the arms. Typical dimensions for h are 4 to 6 mm for front teeth applications. As dental pockets typically are 3 mm to 4 mm deep, H are in the range of 7 to 11 mm. For a 4 mm arm height h, the height H would be typically around 7.5 mm , and for a 6 mm arm height, the height H would typically be around 10 mm.

The highest part 8 has a width / when stretched out of typically between 7 and 9 mm, preferably 8 mm. The overall length L of the matrix is typically between 40 and 60 mm, preferably around 50 mm.

In order to fit properly into the dental pocket of the tooth, it is advantageous, if the bent portion 3 in the region 6 that is used to fit into the dental pocket is rounded to- wards the concave side. It should be stressed that it is very important that bleeding of the gingival tissue is important for a good result of the tooth repair, why a proper fit is essential. This region 6 is located, where the bent portion 3 has the first and largest height H. The rounding may extend from the lower end 18 of the bent portion 3 and a distance d of a few millimetres from there, preferably at least 2 mm.

In order for the dentist to easily distinguish matrices with different sizes, these may have a special marking dependent on the type of matrix. For example, the matrices could be provided with a colour code, as illustrated with a hatched area 17 in FIG. Ib and Ic. A further, slightly different embodiment of a matrix according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. Ie showing a top view of a matrix and to be compared to the top view illustration in FIG. Id. In this case, the arms 4', 4" of the matrix 1 are curved such that one arm 4' fits to the back of a tooth and the other arm 4" fits to the front of the tooth, as front teeth are usually convex on the front and concave at the back.

As illustrated in FIG. 2a and 3, the matrix band 1 according to the invention has one arm 4 that is provided with a hole 9. This hole matches a knob 10 on one leg 13 of the tweezers 11, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In the other leg 14, a hollow 12 corresponds to the knob 10 in order to provide a good grip. The grip may be improved by providing the gripping part 15 with a rough surface, for example achieved by sand blasting. It may be advantageous to produce the gripping part with a hard metal surface.

For example, the gripping part 15 may be provided with a length of 18 mm and a width of 5 mm.

The embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5, which is a front view of the bent portion 3 of a matrix 1 according to the invention, illustrates cutting line markings 16 to aid the adaptation of the matrix to the tooth height of the patient by cutting part of the matrix band along the marking lines. By adapting the height, better control is achieved for the contact area between adjacent teeth.

FIG. 6 shows a number of embodiments for elastomeric cords to be used with advantage in dentistry, preferably in connection with a matrix band according to the inven- tion. In one possible practical embodiment, as illustrated in a perspective view in FIG. 6a, the cord 200 has an oval or elliptical cross section 21.

In a second embodiment, as illustrated by a side view in FIG. 6b, 6c and 6d, the cords 201, 202, and 203 have increasing cross sections from one end 22 to the other end 23. This gives the possibility of continuously varying the thickness of the relaxed cord beween the teeth, such that the exact thickness can be found for the actual situation. The cross section may be circular or ocal or elliptical or have any of the cross sectional forms that are shown in US patent No. 5,104,317. In a third, practical embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6e, the cord 204 has a cross section which is alternating between a small cross section 24 and a large cross section 25. The cross section may be circular or ocal or elliptical or have any of the cross sectional forms that are shown in US patent No. 5,104,317.

In a fourth embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6f, the cord 205 has a first, thin cross section 26, followed by a thicker cross section 27, followed by a thin cross section 28 followed by an even thicker cross section 29. The cross section may be circular or ocal or elliptical or have any of the cross sectional forms that are shown in US patent No. 5,104,317.

AU embodiments in FIG. 6 may be employed in connection with a matrix band according to the invention, but may also be applied in other dentistry applications, for example the applications as disclosed in US patent No. 5,104,317.

FIG. 7 illustrates a use of matrices according to the invention and elastomeric cords 20, for example Wedjets® or the further development of cords as described in connection with FIG. 6. In this case, a free space 33 is adjacent to a tooth 30 to be repaired - which is shown in a top view - the tooth 30 having a concave side groove 31. In order for the matrix band 1 to be pressed into the groove 31, an elastomeric cord 20 is placed at the side of the tooth 30 towards the free space 33, and a wedge 32, typically made of a polymer, is used to press the bent portion 3 of the matrix band 1 into the groove 31 of the tooth. This way, the tooth may be repaired accurately despite the difficulty inducing groove 31. This method can also with success be applied in connec- tion with furcatures involving the root of the tooth. This is advantageous in single tooth position or in the most distal tooth in the dental arc.

A wedge 32' that has turned out to be of distinct advantage for such an operation is illustrated in FIG. 8 in a side view. The wedge 32' has a cord goove 34 for uptake of the cord 20 in the groove. The wedge shaped portion 35 assures an easy placement of the wedge, and the cord groove secures the cord to the wedge 32'. It should be mentioned that such a wedge 32' also may be applied with elastomeric cords 20 without a matrix according to the invention.

Claims

1. Dental matrix band (1) comprising a flexible, foil like sheet having a bent, tooth circumscribing portion (3) with a bending adapted to generally surround a pre-selected tooth (5), characterised in that the tooth circumscribing portion (3) has a lateral extension D in the unmounted state which is less than the cross sectional extension W of the pre-selected tooth (5) for exerting a flexible compressing action against the tooth (5) when placed around the tooth (5).

2. Dental matrix band according to claim 1, wherein the bending of the bent tooth circumscribing portion (3) is at least 170 degrees

3. Dental matrix band according to claim 2, wherein the bending of the bent tooth circumscribing portion (3) is around 180 degrees.

4. Dental matrix band according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tooth circumscribing portion (3) extend into at least one arm (4), the arm having a handle portion for handling of the matrix band.

5. Dental matrix band according to any preceding claim, wherein the tooth circumscribing portion (3) extends between and merges with a pair of arms (4), the pair of arms (4) extending straight in approximately parallel directions or extending straight with a decreasing mutual distance towards their ends.

6. Dental matrix band according to any one of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the tooth circumscribing portion (3) extends between and merges with a pair of arms (4', 4"), the arms being curved for fitting of the first arm (4') to the concave back of a tooth and the other arm (4") to the convex front of the tooth.

7. Dental matrix band according to claim 3, 4, or 5, wherein the arm (4) or the arms (4, 4', 4") have rounded ends (7).

8. Dental matrix band according to any preceding claim, wherein the bent, tooth subscribing portion has a varying height that decreases smoothly curving towards the arm or arms (4).

9. Dental matrix band according to any preceding claim, wherein the bent portion (3) in the region (6) that is used to fit into the dental pocket is rounded towards the concave side.

10. Dental matrix band according to claim 9, wherein the rounding extends from the lower end (18) of the bent portion (3) and a distance d of a few millimetre from there.

11. Dental matrix band according to claim 10, wherein the distance d is at least 2 mm.

12. Dental matrix band according to any preceding claim, wherein said bent, tooth circumscribing portion (3) has a concave side and a convex side, and where the convex side has cutting line markings (16) for by cutting along the line markings (16) to reduce the height of the bent, tooth circumscribing portion (3).

13. Dental matrix band according to any preceding claim, wherein the extension D of the bent, tooth circumscribing portion (3) is between 5 mm and 7 mm, preferably around 6 mm, when intended for premolar teeth and between 9 mm and 11 mm, preferably around 10 mm, when intended for molar teeth.

14. Dental matrix band according to any preceding claim, wherein the width h of the arm or arms is between 4 mm and 6 mm, and the largest height is between 7 and 11 mm.

15. A combination of tweezers and a dental matrix band according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle portion (4) of the dental matrix band comprises a hole (9), and the tweezers (11) comprise a corresponding knob (10) at and end part (15) of the tweezers, the knob being configured for mating interaction with the hole for secure holding of the matrix band by the end part of the tweezers.

16. A combination according to claim 15, wherein the end part (15) of the tweezers (11) has a roughened surface for increased friction against the handle of the dental matrix band.

17. A tooth repair kit comprising a dental matrix band according to any one of the claims 1-14, and an elastomeric cord having a first cross-sectional area at relaxation and a second, smaller cross-sectional area at elongation for placement between adjacent teeth during repair of a tooth.

18. A tooth repair kit according to claim 17, wherein the cord (200) has an oval or elliptical cross section.

19. A tooth repair kit according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the cord (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) has a varying cross section along its length.

20. A tooth repair kit according to claim 19, wherein the cord (201, 202, 203) has an increasing cross section from one end (22) to the other end (23).

21. A tooth repair kit according to claim 19, wherein the cord (204) has a cross sec- tion which is alternating between a small cross section (24) and a large cross section

(25).

22. A tooth repair kit according to claim 19, wherein the cord (205) has a first, thin cross section (26), followed by a thicker cross section (27), followed by a thin cross section (28) followed by an even thicker cross section (29).

23. A tooth repair kit according to any one of the claims 17-22, further comprising a wedge (32), wherein the wedge has a cord groove (34) for accommodating part of the cord (20, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205).

24. A method for repairing a tooth, wherein the method comprises applying a dental matrix band (1) according to any one of the claims 1-14 around a tooth to be repaired, holding the matrix band in place by applying an elastomeric cord (20) interposed between adjacent teeth or wound around the tooth to be repaired.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the method comprises placing a wedge (32) between the cord (20) and the matrix band (1).

26. A method according to claim 24, wherein the wedge (32') is provided with a cord groove (34) for accommodating part of the cord (20).