𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗺 Starter Kit with Frame Puncher Ivory Clamps

Dental dam or rubber dam is a thin, 6-inch (150 mm) square sheet, usually latex or nitrile, used in dentistry to isolate the operative site (one or more teeth) from the rest of the mouth. It is used mainly in endodontic, fixed prosthodontics (crowns, bridges), and general restorative treatments. Its purpose is both to prevent saliva from interfering with the dental work (e.g. contamination of oral micro-organisms during root canal therapy, or to keep filling materials such as composite dry during placement and curing), and to prevent instruments and materials from being inhaled, swallowed or damaging the mouth. In dentistry, the use of a rubber dam is sometimes referred to as isolation or moisture control.

Using a rubber dam for dental procedures can provide multiple advantages.

A rubber dam can provide a clean and dry operating field away from substances such as saliva and blood. This is important for dental procedures as the bonding ability of adhesives and cement is heightened in a clean and dry field away from possible contamination, in order for maximum adhesive strength between the restorative materials, dentin, and enamel. If the environment is contaminated leading to poor bonding of the materials, the success and longevity of the restoration are shortened.

When using the rubber dam, it is able to isolate one or more teeth. By doing this the clinician’s visibility of the tooth is greatly improved, due to the increase in contrast with the rubber dam around the tooth or teeth. Whilst at the same time it retracts the soft tissues such as the lips, tongue, cheeks, and reduces mirror fogging, allowing the clinician to focus solely on the restorative site which can lead to the procedure also being more time-efficient. Even though it is commonly said rubber dam takes too much time to apply in many ways it can reduce the time needed for the procedure, as not only does it just isolate the tooth, it reduces the ability for the patient to communicate with the clinician. This is most beneficial for the over-talkative patients which can sometimes hinder the efficiency of treatment and can instead allow more time for the clinician to focus on the task at hand in order for the procedure to take less time.