Interdental wedges are used for dental fillings with plastic filling materials such as acrylic or amalgam, and in this context are used to precisely adjust and shape the filling to be applied. The wedges are claw-shaped and flexible enough to fit precisely around the tooth to be filled. At the ends, they bear contacts whose closure keeps the filling material from spreading into the interdental space.
What is an interdental wedge?
Interdental wedges are used in dental fillings. Dental fillings are used to repair defects in the tooth. In any type of dental filling, filling material is placed in the defect. Dentistry distinguishes between plastic filling materials and inlay fillings. The latter correspond to the so-called inlays made of ceramic or metal. Plastic filling materials, on the other hand, include materials such as amalgam or plastic. Especially when using plastic filling materials, dentistry uses the so-called interdental wedge. “Interdental” literally means “space between the teeth” or “lying between the teeth”. As a dental aid, the interdental wedge is used to keep the interdental space free of filling material during fillings and to prevent it from escaping into the interdental area. In addition, thanks to the interdental wedge, the transition from tooth surface to filling is smooth and inconspicuous.
Shapes, types and styles
Interdental wedges are made either of wood or plastic. Plastic has the advantage of highest resistance. In addition to their protective properties, wooden wedges often exhibit a hemostatic effect, which the plastic wedge lacks accordingly. Interdental wedges are available in transparent versions, but also in eye-catching colors. The wedges differ from each other primarily in their flexibility and softness. Especially for patients with sensitive gums, the interdental wedge must be as soft as possible so as not to cause irritation or injury. On the other hand, flexibility is crucial so that the wedges can be placed as precisely as possible around the tooth to be filled. Resistance to the natural oral flora plays a decisive role in both the wood and plastic variants. Interactions between the materials used and the biological environment are ruled out in extensive tests to ensure that the wedges can be used without hesitation in contact with the human body. The most commonly used interdental wedges are made of polymer. Wooden versions made of maple wood are a popular alternative.
Structure and mode of operation
Interdental wedges are triangular wedges usually made of highly flexible material that can resemble claws at first glance. Most variants are bent in a counterclockwise direction. At both ends, the wedges bear contacts that the dentist connects after passing them around the tooth to be filled. With most wedges, the remaining rod can be twisted off by turning 360 degrees, so that the tooth finally lies in a protective flap that is precisely adapted to it. In many cases, the wedges bear a more or less textured surface that reflects light and serves to make them easier to find. Interdental wedges are placed by the dentist around the tooth to be filled when preparing a plastic filling and are joined together in this position at the contact points provided. The aids are not removed until the filling has hardened. Some interdental wedges have a raised plate in the middle section. This type of interdental wedge is used primarily for drilling and protects the adjacent tooth surfaces from damage by the drill. In the case of interdental wedges for fillings, the wedge presses the matrix band close to the tooth hole to contour the interdental spaces. This prevents the filling material from escaping into the gingival pocket in the interdental space when the filling is made. The hardened filling thus has a smooth transition to the tooth surface area and hardly stands out from it.
Medical and health benefits
Interdental wedges are used in all plastic fillings. Before placing a filling, the dentist frees the diseased tooth from carious components. To do this, he grinds the tooth and opens it. Often a cavity is created, which is then filled by the dental filling.Once this cavity has been created, the interdental wedges are applied in the case of plastic fillings. Plastic fillings are made of amalgam or plastic. Amalgam is a metal-based plastic material that belongs to the group of alloys and thus corresponds to a mixture of metals and mercury. Gamma-2-free silver amalgams in particular are used today, as they ensure the best workmanship, high durability and filling margins. Plastic fillings are now used far more frequently than amalgams. These plastic filling materials are often referred to as composites and correspond to compounds of inorganic fillers with polymerizable plastic. Before processing, the tooth to be filled must be etched to ensure a secure bond between the plastic filling and the tooth. The filling material is cured with UV light. Unlike amalgam fillings, plastic fillings are less resistant to abrasion and less resistant to pressure. However, especially in the anterior tooth area, they offer the great advantage that they do not affect the tooth area cosmetically and can hardly be distinguished from the real tooth substance. With both types of filling, the interdental wedge ensures that the filling material hardens in its intended form. The dental aid prevents the material from spreading into the interdental space and thus protects both the other teeth and the patient’s gums. Thus, the interdental wedge assumes the role of an adapting and shaping element in all plastic fillings.
