Product of the Week: Black Diamond Strip

The ContacEZ Black Diamond Strip is the ideal strip for adjusting the proximal contact of direct and indirect restorations prior to definitive cementation.   The ultra-thin, 0.06mm strip is thinner than dental floss, so it will never leave open contacts, and the built-in flexibility ensures natural, rounded contours for all of your restorations.

Using the ContacEZ Black Diamond Strip restores interproximal relief (see: Dr. Kim's Article) by eliminating excessive pressure between the restoration and the adjacent teeth. Ideal tactile control of the handle allows complete marginal seating to be achieved simply and easily, eliminating the tedium of using articulating films.

Directions for proximal contact adjustment for crown seating:

(Watch a Crown Seating Tutorial Video)

1. Place the crown on the prepared tooth and press it down. Check the marginal fit with an explorer. If there is a marginal opening due to overly tight contacts, determine if the mesial or distal margins are more open. The side where the margin of the crown is close to the prepared tooth surface is the side with the heavier proximal contact. If the crown is far off from the preparation, a rotary instrument is recommended for gross adjustment before using ContacEZ Dental Strips.

2. Lift the crown from the prepared abutment tooth and insert a ContacEZ Black Diamond Strip into the interproximal space that has the heavier contact. Ensure the abrasive surface is facing the crown.  Place the crown back on the prepared tooth and let the crown rest on the abutment. Do not press the crown at this stage. Pass the ContacEZ Diamond Dental Strip buccolingually 5-6 times. The orientation of the diamond particles on the metal strip may initially limit movement of the strip in one direction only, but with repeated passes will increase movement.

3. Remove the ContacEZ Diamond Dental Strip from the interproximal space and put it back into the opposite interproximal space of the crown while the crown is lifted slightly.  Pass the ContacEZ Diamond Dental Strip buccolingually approximately 6 times.

4. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the ContacEZ Black Diamond Strip passes through the interproximal space with light resistance.  The interproximal space with the heavier resistance is the side heavier contact, and may require additional adjustment.

 "Finishing interproximal restorations to a higher degree 

is a result of using the Black Diamond strip."  -Dr. Curtis Chan, Del Mar, CA