Double-Wedge Features

1. They are atraumatic because there is no sharp point to puncture the soft tissues and local anaesthetic is not required.

2. They are probably the best haemostat agent that you are ever likely to see! Like a tourniquet they constrict the blood vessels in the inter-proximal gingival tissues and maintain a dry field which is so essential for optimum bonding (Note the blanching of the gingival tissues in this photo).

3. Since the Double-Wedges are elastic they act like orthodontic tooth separators, continually putting lateral pressure inter- proximally just like orthodontic separator rings.

4. They are transparent and transmit the curing light to help cure composite inter-proximally.

 

5. Double-Wedges are made of a surprisingly strong and elastic material. Most people cannot break them by pulling at either end! This motion picture shows just how stretchy they are.

 

5. This picture shows the separation that was achieved by pulling a Double-Wedge through the interproximal space. No great pressure was used and this female patient did not have periodontal disease. The pictures were taken 2 minutes apart.

Multiple Uses for Double-Wedges
1. They are excellent at wedging retainerless matrix bands (KerrNeos Supermat is recommended.) You can use them with bands like the Tofflemeier but the retainer arm can get in the way.
2. Double-Wedges can be used to hold the Mylar strip when restoring anterior Class III restorations to prevent overhanging margins and eliminate the need for polishing strips.
3. They stop gingival bleeding in both anterior and posterior teeth.

4. They can also work well with rubber-dam to retain the rubber inter-proximally and to protect the rubber dam from catching the high-speed bur.

How to Place a Double-Wedge
Pre-stretch the Double-Wedge by stretching it gradually, then release and repeat several times. This aligns the polymers and strengthens it.

In the front of the mouth stretch the Double-Wedge like floss and floss it between the teeth. In posterior regions you may need to hold one end with tweezers. Pull one end of the Double-Wedge until the other end is wedged into the embrasure.

The Double-Wedge is particularly useful in mesial to the upper first premolar as it adapts well to the odd inter-proximal shape caused by the canine fossa.

Once released the stretched Double-Wedge returns to its original shape by expanding just like an orthodontic separator ring.