A dental instrument with arms pivotally connected for scissors pivot action between closed and open positions is disclosed. A pair of tines extends from distal ends of the arms and at least one shaping surface on one of said tines is supported so that it is operable to shape an interior surface of one of two matrix bands positioned around adjacent teeth. In use, each tine is positioned inside of adjacent matrix bands positioned around adjacent teeth. As the arms are pivoted towards the closed position, the shaping surface is moved towards the tine on which it is not supported and a clamping force is applied by the tines causing the shaping surface to shape at least one of the matrix bands.