Rubber Dam

 

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A DENTAL CONDOM?

 

Needs for isolation of the oral working area are rather obvious. A tooth bathed in saliva and water, a tongue that insists on obstructing vision, and a patient that is gagging due to suction appliances and instruments in the mouth, are but a few of the obstacles that must be overcome before delicate and accurate workmanship is possible. 

In the interest of hygiene, safety, and quality, most dental procedures are carried out using a technique known as rubber dam isolation (also known as “ latex or dental dam”).  The placement of a rubber dam is considered the standard of care for all restorative and root canal procedures.

Some patients refer to it as an “oral condom”. The latex (rubber) dam is a piece of thin, stretchable, customized latex  or non-latex sheet that fits over the teeth selected for treatment and held by a clamp and frame to form a barrier between you and your teeth, in effect isolating the teeth being worked on.   

 

This technique is routinely used  to isolate teeth when bleaching, and  carrying out restorative (tooth fillings) work and root canal treatment. The advantages of using a rubber dam is well known and documented in the scientific evidence-based literature. These benefits include the following:

 

Patient comfort 

The protective cover enables the patient to feel more comfortable and relaxed during treatment as it distances them from the procedure being carried out.  Patients like latex dams and say they feel more comfortable and relaxed because they don’t have to concentrate on keeping their mouth open or positioning their tongue. Also, they do not feel that their mouth is invaded by hands, instruments, and liquids.

With the rubber dam in place you can swallow and breathe normally, without having to swallow water and dental debris from the dental procedure. 

 

Improves operating efficiency

Isolation creates better access and visibility in the working area.

Improves treatment quality

A rubber dam isolates the teeth or the operating field thus preventing moisture and saliva contaminating teeth. A clean and dry environment is a prerequisite for optimum bonding of dental adhesives and placing dental restorations successfully.

Protection and Safety

The patient is protected from swallowing or worse, the aspiration of small instruments, dental fragments or debris, irrigating solutions, or irritant substances. Your gums, tongue, lips, and cheek are protected from possible injury from the cutting action of rotating burs. 

It is an accepted safety practice to take precautions especially during root canal treatment,  to prevent aspiration or swallowing of instruments.

 

The use of a rubber dam is almost mandatory in modern endodontic practice for three reasons.

Firstly, it provides an aseptic operating field, isolating the tooth from oral and salivary contamination. It cannot be stressed enough that contamination of the root canal with saliva introduces new microorganisms to the root canal which may prolong treatment and reduce the prognosis or survival rate of the root canal treated tooth.

Secondly, rubber dam facilitates the use of the strong medicaments necessary to clean the root canal system.

Finally, it protects the patient from the inhalation or ingestion of root canal instruments.

 

Remember, the dentist who takes the extra time and effort to use latex dam is committed to attention to detail to give you the best quality and service and safety possible!