More than message board 2,500 views in 1 month Here Are Some Tricks for More Predictable Mylar Strip Use in the Anterior A Townie shares a step-by-step on using greater band curves on challenging restorations palmers31 Member Since: 07/30/08 Post: 1 of 28 Saw this issue on another thread today. I really hate to see guys get frustrated with stuff that really shouldn't be causing stress! I struggled with Mylar strips for a long time too, and tried lots of variations ... but in the end, I found Mylar strips to give me predictable results-but there are a few tricks. I thought I'd start a new thread since this post will end up being pretty long... This is from a restoration I did today, #8 (DFL). First things fi rst. That Mylar strip needs to be in the sulcus. On both the buccal and the lingual. And it needs to be fi xed into a completely immobile position by your wedge. After the matrix is wedged, I will lightly "tap" the Mylar strip with my fi nger to see if it moves. It shouldn't move at all. Take a look at this weird wedge position. That is precisely where I place my wedge when using the Mylar strip. You are far enough below the contact point where your wedge won't collapse in your band, and it also keeps the wedge out of the embrasure where the wedge may push the matrix away from the adjacent tooth (causing a light/open contact). You're basically wedging the tooth against the bone in this area. Next, after you've bonded and such, place a little bit of flowable in the most gingival portion of your prep. Take an endo explorer and press the matrix band as shown in the picture. Cure. Your goal is to create a gingival seal only. Notice how the rest of the matrix band still flares out. Only the gingival portion is pressed tightly against the tooth. Now move on to the coronal portion. Add some flowable here and gently approximate the band against the tooth as shown. This creates a "cupping" of the matrix band (you can see how the matrix band is bowed out against the adjacent tooth). Cure. 30 MAY 2019 // dentaltown.comhttp://www.dentaltown.com