Table 1.

A summary of objectives, methods used to achieve them and how they can be affected, when selecting and placing a sectional matrix

Objective	Methods used/how objective can be affected
A well-adapted matrix in contact with the adjacent tooth at the point of maximum convexity	Affected by cavity design, dimensions and configuration, matrix selection and placement, stabilisation techniques, restorative material placement
Cervical seal and stability	Methods: wooden and plastic wedges, mechanical separators (eg Elliott), adjunctive use of PTFE teflon tape, 'Teflon floss' technique
Separation of the teeth greater than or equal to the width of the matrix used	Methods: wedges, separating ring, Elliott separators
Coronal stability	Methods: separating ring (active), unbonded flowable resin (passive). (Also affected by matrix material, rigidity and shape)
An undistorted matrix	Potentially affected by all of the above