What should be done if the 12/13 contact is too tight for a wedge when banding a DOA on tooth 12?

The correct action in this situation is to trim down a wedge and use it between the teeth. When performing a dental restoration, especially in a case where the contact area is too tight to accommodate a standard wedge, it is important to ensure that the matrix band is properly adapted to create a suitable seal around the tooth being restored.

By trimming down a wedge, you can create a suitable fit that allows the band to maintain contact with the adjacent tooth while still providing the necessary separation to protect the integrity of the restoration. This careful adjustment helps to avoid causing damage to the neighboring tooth structure or the wedge itself, as a too-tight fit may impede the accurate placement of the matrix band.

In contrast, the other options may not adequately address the issue of contact tightness. Tightening the matrix band without using a wedge can compromise the band’s ability to properly adapt, leading to inadequate contouring of the restoration. Placing a wedge on the mesial of tooth 12 and distal of tooth 13 might not effectively alleviate the tightness issue, and removing the band to restore without a band or wedge would likely result in a compromised restoration, as the benefits of proper contact and contour would be lost. Trimming the wedge for a better fit is the most effective