New Technique for Wedge Selection in Direct Class II Restorations: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Dental Materials
• Digital Dentistry

Background:

• Class II direct restorations present challenges in matrix system selection and stabilization.
• Proper wedge selection significantly impacts restoration outcomes.
• Current methods for wedge selection can be suboptimal, leading to complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel digital method for predictable dental wedge selection.
• To compare the efficacy of the digital method against the conventional intraoperative visual examination for wedge selection.

Main Methods:

• Sixty patients were randomized into two groups: conventional visual selection (Group 0) and digital pre-operative selection using bite-wing radiography (Group 1).
• Data collected included the number of wedges used, modifications, tissue damage, proximal contact quality, and marginal adaptation.
• Statistical analysis employed Student's t-test and Pearson Chi-square test.

Main Results:

• Group 0 used significantly more wedges than Group 1 (p < 0.05).
• Tissue damage was significantly higher in Group 0 (p < 0.05), with no significant difference in wedge modifications between groups (p > 0.05).
• Group 1 demonstrated a higher frequency of satisfactory proximal contact and marginal adaptation (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• The digital wedge selection method is effective in reducing material waste and soft tissue trauma.
• This technique ensures adequate interproximal anatomy and improves the quality of Class II direct restorations.
• Preoperative digital assessment offers a predictable approach to dental wedge selection.