Abstract: An improved dental wedge is devised wherein a cross section of the dental wedge, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dental wedge, is generally trapezoidal. The trapezoidal cross section is characterized by a minor base and an opposing major base and is connected by symmetric, sloping sides. The sloping sides of the trapezoidal cross section intersect the major base through flat intermediate portions whereby a sharp acute angle of the intersection between the sloping sides and major base is avoided. The dental wedge is impregnated with a hemostatic agent and has a tapered sled-like tip where the major base tapers upwardly to the minor base and terminates at the tip of the dental wedge in a flat, snub-nosed end. By reason of this combination of elements, the dental wedge can be inserted between and exert a maximum wedging force against each of two adjacent teeth and yet provide no substantial obstruction to a matrix band placed over either one of the teeth.