Class II Composite Tips: Back-to-Back Contacts, Wedges & Bonding | Dr. Matt Burton
June 11, 2026
Why do back-to-back Class II composites still give so many dentists trouble? Dr. Matt Burton, the general dentist who designed the Quad Matrix with Garrison, explains why the problem is usually the wedge, how to get tight contacts in a full quadrant, and why well-done direct restorations are some of the most profitable work in your practice. In this episode: - Why the Tofflemire band falls short for Class II composites - What the wedge is really for once a ring creates the contact - How a splitting wedge handles back-to-back restorations - Why direct restorations are a profit center, not busywork - The two bonding agents Matt uses, and why - Can you over-etch? A tip from John Kanca - Etching before the matrix band goes on to stop stain lines - Calling every patient the day after treatment Plus: how should dentists respond when patients call dentistry a scam online? Dr. Matt Burton is a general dentist in Frankfort, Illinois, near Chicago. He designed the Quad Matrix system with Garrison Dental Solutions and lectures on Class II direct restorations. 🙌 Special shout out to Garrison Dental Solutions for making this episode possible! Chapters: 0:00 Intro 4:15 Chad's first injection-molded composite case 9:03 Introducing Dr. Matt Burton 14:28 "Dentistry is a scam": responding to a patient's post 19:20 Why trust drops after practice sales 22:44 Overtreated perio and the corporate shift 30:03 Moving past the Tofflemire band 32:43 Matt's story: from amalgam to composites 36:43 Why direct restorations are profitable 41:59 The Quad Matrix and splitting wedge 45:39 What the wedge is really for 48:01 Explaining the matrix to patients 49:54 The bonding agents they use 52:35 Can you over-etch? 54:49 How to choose a bonding agent 56:54 Calling every patient the next day 58:12 Etching before placing the matrix band 1:00:38 Closing 🎧 Listen to the podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dentists-in-the-know/id1543254763 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Elfj6LX0hCUyp0AgdTsij 📺 Make sure you subscribe to catch new episodes live every Wednesday at 8pm ET! https://www.youtube.com/@dentistsintheknow 🌟 Stay up to date on all the latest dental trends when you follow the DINKs: https://fanflet.com/dinks/social-2
