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1. RUBBER DAM
• INTRODUCTION
• HISTORY
• ADVANTAGES OF RUBBER DAM
• DISADVANTAGES OF RUBBER DAM
• MATERIAL AND INSTRUMENTS
o Rubber dam material
o Rubber dam punch
o Rubber dam forcep
o Rubber dam frame
o Rubber dam clamp
o Rubber dam -Napkin
o Lubricant
o Holo positioning guide
o Anchor (other than clamps)
• GUIDELINES FOR POSITIONING THE HOLE
• APPLICATION TECHNIQUE
• MULTIPLE TOOTH ISOLATION
• REMOVAL OF RUBBER DAM
• RUBBER DAM IN CLINICAL RESTORATIVE PROCEDURE
• ERROR IN APPLICATION AND REMOVAL
• WASHED FIELD APPARATUS
• CONCLUSION

2. • REFERENCES
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3. RUBBER DAM
INTRODUCTION:
There are many ways to isolate an area of the mouth or a tooth so that
restorative services can be performed without interference from soft tissues,
tongue, saliva or other fluids. Various tongue and cheek retruding devices and
suction methods are used. By far the most complete method of obtaining field
isolation is rubber dam.
HISTORY:
It is not realized that the rubber dam was first described over 120 years ago
when in March 1864 Dr. Sanford Barnum first explained its use at meeting of
Connecticut Valley Dental Society in New York. He described his delight in
finding such a simple means of saliva control at a time when saliva control was
sedimentary.
By the following year, the use of rubber dam was warmly recommended to
profession as an indispensable aid to dental practice and 5 years later in 1870 Dr.
J.F.P. Hodson described in detail the methods then in current use. Several aspects
of the technique have not changed greatly from that time. The main difference
from current practice being that rubber dam clamps were not developed and
retention of rubber dam was exclusively by means of wedges and floss silk
ligatures. Rubber dam frames were not used and the edges of rubber were retracted
by neck harness and weights suspended from floss silk ligatures looped around the
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4. tooth. Hodson’s article in 1870 details the construction of seven types of clamps
which were designed solely to achieve improved gingival retraction and were
placed without the aid of clamp forceps.
In 1879 the Ainsworth Rubber dam punch was patented the design of which
has changed little in more than a century.
Dr. W. ST Geo Elliotts in 1878 described clamp forceps gripped the jaws of
he clamp rather than the bow. This arrangement allowed the hole in the rubber
dam to be retained on the forcep tips, thus earliest forerunners of idea of carrying
the rubber dam and clamp to mouth simultaneously.
About the same time (1880) the Hickmann “Lipped” clamp was in use in
which the rubber dam sheet was retained on the clamp between two lips on each
jaw. These were earliest forerunner of present day winged design.
Most of the other design of early clamps and forceps were designed to
tension the clamp by engaging the clamp bow. By 1890 some clamps were being
made with holes in jaws to allow the use of forceps similar to stokes pattern of
today.
A few of early designs have remained popular to the present day e.g. “Tees
Festooned Clamp” designed in 1870. The only feature lacking when compared to
modern version being holes in each jaw. This design was only one of the first
feature jaw which were directed gingivally or “festooned” a forerunner of the
retentive jaw design today.
Colyer gave a detailed account of techniques in use by 1890 and his
description would be quite familiar to today’s practitioner.
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5. Rubber dam frames were described in early 20th
century as Metal
Fernauld’s design. More recent designs have taken advantages of developments in
plastics to produce frames which are radiolucent.
By the time G.V. Black produced his seminal text “Operative Dentistry” in
1908, the use of rubber dam was firmly established. He strongly advocated its use
stating “the rubber dam should be in place for all amalgam fillings, the same as for
gold…. It is as impossible to make a good amalgam filling as it is a gold (foil)
filling with any moisture present”.
The American Dental Association Council on Dental Materials and
Equipments has acknowledged the use of rubber dam stating in 1986 that “The use
of rubber dam to maintain dry field is essential”.
ADVANTAGES OF RUBBER DAM:
The advantages of rubber dam isolation are:-
1) Dry clean operating field:- The operator can best perform procedures such as
caries removal, cavity preparation, restorative procedure in dry field. Teeth
prepared and restored using rubber dam isolation are less prone to post-
operative problems related to contamination from oral fluid.
2) Access and visibility:- Rubber dam provides maximal access and visibility. It
act as physical barrier to moisture and retracts the soft tissues. Rubber dam
retracts the gingival tissue, lips, tongue and cheek. Rubber dam provides a
dark, non-reflective background in contrast to operating site thus enhances the
visibility.
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6. 3) Improved properties of dental materials by preventing the moisture
contamination of restorative materials during insertion and promotes improved
properties of dental materials.
4) Protection of patient and operator:- The rubber dam protects both patient and
operator. It protects the patient from aspirating or swallowing small
instruments and debris associated with operative procedures. It controls the
soft tissues and their protection from injury. The importance of physical barrier
(which rubber dam provides) between patient and operator and patient’s oral
fluids, has recently become more widely recognized due to risk of treating
undiagnosed carriers of HIV and hepatitis B virus. Thus it provides a pleasant
controlled operating environment. (Operative Dentistry 1986; 11:159)
5) Operating Efficiency:- Use of rubber dam enhances operating efficiency and
increased productivity. Patient management is simplified by avoiding need to
rinse the mouth of debris, improving access to operating area, gingival
retraction and control of gingival haemorrhage and surgically clean field.
DISADVANTAGES:
1) Time consumption and patient objection are most frequently quoted
disadvantages of rubber dam.
2) Minor damages can occur to marginal gingival and cervical cemetnum.
3) Damage to the restorations such as metal crown margins show microscopic
defects following clamp removal and ceramic crown may fracture at margins
if clamps are allowed to grip the porcelain.
4) Accidental aspiration of the clamps
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7. 5) Certain conditions which preclude the use of rubber dam
a. Malpositioned teeth
b. Teeth that have not erupted fully to support retain
c. Third molars
d. Excessive coronal tissue loss
6) Patient suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma may not tolerate
rubber dam if the breathing through nose is difficult.
7) Contact allergy to latex rubber dam sheet. Two cases of contact allergy to
rubber dam have been reported during last 20 years. One manifesting as
angioneurotic oedema with systemic symptoms and other as contact
dermatitis.
MATERIALS AND INSTRUMENTS:
1. Rubber Dam:
Rubber dam material is made from natural latex rubber. They are
manufactured as,
a) Continuous rolls available in two widths (125 mm or 150 mm)
b) Pre-cut form available in 5 x 5 inch (12.5 x 12.5 mm) or 6 x 6 (15 x 15
mm) square sheets.
Rubber dam material available in assay of colours. Traditionally black
rubber dam was available but now four alternative colour such as green, blue, grey
and natural (translucent) are there.
Thickness: Rubber dam is manufactured in range of five thicknesses.
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8. Grade Thickness
Mm Inch
Thin 0.15 0.006
Medium 0.20 0.008
Heavy 0.25 0.010
Extra heavy 0.30 0.012
Special heavy 0.35 0.014
Shelf life:- Rubber dam material has shelf life of about 9 months at room
temperature. Shelf life will be reduced in warm storage conditions and so a
refrigerator or freezer is best used if prolonged storage is anticipated.
2. Rubber Dam Punch:
Precision instrument with rotating metal table. These instrument are used to
produce the clean cut holes in the rubber sheet through which the teeth can be
isolated.
Two types of holes are made:-
1) Single hole
2) Multihole
1) Single hole:- Available in two sizes. Single hole punches are used mainly for
endodontic isolation and have the advantage of accurate and consistent punch
point to avail alignment. E.g. Dentsply single hold punch.
2) Multihole:- More versatile and preferred by authors. They allow holes to be
punched in a range of sizes from 0.5 to 2.5mm in diameter by rotation of axil.
E.g. Ivory pattern (Heraeus Kulzer) punch. E.g. Ash or Ainsworth pattern
punch.
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9. Rubber dam punches should be regularly checked for wear and tear. Three main
problems can arise:-
1) Blunting of the sharp cutting edge to the anvil holes, usually due to prolong
use.
2) Damage to the punch point and anvil, as a result of incorrect alignment.
Punching of holes:- The size of hole punched for each tooth depends on several
factors.
a) Whether the tooth is to be clamped or not
b) Cervical diameter of the tooth
c) The elasticity of rubber dam being used
3. Rubber Dam Forceps:
Rubber dam forceps are needed to stretch the jaws of clamp open in a
controlled manner during placement and removal. Several designs of forceps are
available. Three widely used designs are:-
a) ash or stokes pattern
b) Ivory pattern
c) University of Washington pattern
All three have a sliding ring between the hinge and forceps handles which
can hold the forcep open and so hold the clamp under tension. These three forcep
differ in their tip design.
University of Washington pattern design provide a definite stop which
positively prevent jamming of instrument tip in the hole in clamp jaw.
It also resists tilting of clamp while held in the forceps.
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10. Stokes and ivory pattern have both notched and pointed tips which engages
the holes in clamp jaws.
Ivory pattern forceps (Heraeus Kulzer) have stabilizers that prevent the
clamp from rotating on the beaks.
Stokes type which have notches near the tips of their beaks in which to
locate the holes of rubber dam clamp allow a range of rotation for the clamp so
that it may be positioned on teeth that are mesially or distally angled.
4. Rubber Dam Frame:
Rubber dam frames support the edges of rubber dam and so retract the soft
tissue and improve access to isolated teeth. It can be metal or plastic. Fernauld’s
frame made of metal was first widely used rubber dam frame.
The metal frames available now are versions of Young’s design. It is ‘U’
shaped open at the top and this allows the upper edge of rubber to fall slightly
forward away from tip of nose.
Young’s frame design also available in plastic preferred particularly for
endodontic radiographs since radiolucent. The rubber dam is retained by series of
pegs around the edges over which the rubber sheet is stretched. Shape of pegs can
be fine spike with relatively sharp points (young’s) or broad pegs with blunt type
(Hygienic or Fernauld’s).
One type of plastic frame (Nygaard Ostby) is a complete circle supporting
the upper edge of rubber.
Rubber dam harnesses retract only the sides of rubber dam. The harness is
attached to vertical edges of rubber sheet by metal clips from which elastic pass
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11. around the back of the head and apply traction to edges of rubber sheet. E.g.
Woodbury retractor.
Dry dam an alternative to frame and harness which consists of small sheet
of rubber set into the centre of an absorbent paper sheet with light elastic on either
side to pass over the ears. This is useful for quickly isolating anterior teeth but not
suitable for molars bleaching due to absorbent nature of paper surround.
5. Rubber Dam Clamp:
Rubber dam clamp (retainer) is used to anchor the dam to the tooth to be
isolated. The clamp consists of four prongs and two jaws connected by a bow.
Clamps can be divided into two main groups according to jaw design:-
• Bland
o Winged
o Wingless
• Retentive
o Winged
o Wingless
Bland: Bland clamps are recognized by the jaws which are flat and points directly
towards each other and are designed to grasp the tooth at or above the gingival
margin and thus causing minimum gingival damage.
Retentive: Retentive clamps have jaws which are directed more gingivally so that
they can grasp the tooth well below the gingival margin.
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12. Winged: The wings are the small flanges on the outer edges of clamp jaws which
are provided to allow the clamp to be retained in dam during placement.
Clamps are made from metal and non-metal
Metal clamps have traditionally been made from tempered carbon steel
plated to resist corrosion and more recently from stainless steel. Dentsply is
producing gold coloured clamp with diamond grit on jaws. Diamond coating is
said to improve retention on the tooth.
Non-metal clamps made from polycarbonate plastic (Endo Technic).
Advantage of these clamps is that they are radiolucent. Disadvantage – do not fit
the tooth well and are bulky.
To be secure a clamp must fit around the tooth below the level of maximum
crown width (maximum coronal diameter). The points of the jaws of the clamps
must all contact the crown below this level in four areas. Two on facial surface
and two on lingual surface. This is called ‘Four Point Contact’. The four point
contact prevents rocking and tilting of retainer. This is most easily achieved by
selecting those clamps in which the length of clamp jaws relate to the mesodistal
width of the root.
The jaws should not extend the mesial and distal line angles of tooth because,
1) They may interfere with the placement of matrix and wedge
2) Gingival trauma is more likely to occur
3) Complete seal around the anchor tooth is more difficult to achieve
Correct placement of clamp on an anchor tooth is achieved when:-
1) When the bow is to the distal
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13. 2) All four points of jaws are in contact with the anchor tooth.
3) The clamp is gripping the crown of the tooth below its maximum coronal
diameter.
Clamp placement:
• Before a clamp is placed on any tooth, the dental floss should be tied. The
dental floss should be 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length. The floss allows
retrival of retainer or its broken parts if they are accidentally swallowed or
aspirated.
• The clamp is carried to the tooth using clamp forceps.
• The clamp engaged in the beaks of forcep by means of holes in the jaws.
• The clamp is oriented in the forcep, so that bow will lie to the distal on the
tooth.
• Sufficient pressure is used to tension the clamp and retain it on the forcep.
The handle lock maintains the tension in the clamp.
• The clamp is placed on the tooth by opening it sufficiently to pass over the
maximum coronal diameter.
• The lingual (or palatal) jaw is placed first in contact with lingual surface of
the anchor tooth. Then the clamp tilted bucally until buccal jaw below
maxillary coronal diameter.
• The tension of clamp is released slowly as the buccal jaw is placed.
6. Rubber Dam Napkin:
13

14. Rubber dam napkin placed between the rubber dam and patient’s skin and
has following advantages:-
a) It prevents skin contact with rubber to reduce the possibility of allergies
b) Absorbs saliva seeping at the corners of mouth
c) Act as cushion
d) Provides a convenient method of wiping the patient’s lips on removal of
dam
7. Lubricant:
A water soluble lubricant applied in the area of punched holes facilitates the
passing of dam septae through the proximal contacts. Rubber dam lubricant is
commercially available but other lubricant such as shaving cream or soap slurry
are satisfactory cocoa butter or petroleum jelly may be applied at the coroners of
patient’s mouth to prevent irritation. These 2 materials are not satisfactory rubber
dam lubricant because both are oil based and cannot be easily rinsed from dam
once the dam is placed.
8. Hole-Positioning Guides:
a) Teeth as a guide:- The teeth themselves or stone cast of teeth can be used in
marking the dam. The cusp tips of posterior teeth and incisal edges of anterior
teeth can be visualized through the dam, and centers of teeth are marked on the
dam with pen.
b) Template:- Templates are available to guide the marking of dam. These
template are approximately the same size and shape as the unstretched dam
itself.
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15. c) Rubber dam stamp:- Provides a convenient and efficient way of marking the
dam for punching.
15

16. 9. Anchors (other than clamps):
Alternatives to clamps are of two types –
a) Employs the area beneath the interdental contacts for retention. These include
interdental wedges or wood sticks inserted below the contact point or rubber
strip passed under tension through contact point and released to lie beneath the
contact area.
b) When the tapering crown/ root surface beneath the maxillary crown diameter,
the rubber dam in this case is retained by ligatures of dental floss tied around
the neck of the tooth or elastic rings which are stretched through the contact
points and released to grip the neck of the tooth.
GUIDELINES FOR POSITIONING THE HOLES:
1) Punch an identification hole in upper left (patient’s left) corner of the rubber
dam for ease of location when applying the rubber dam holder.
2) When operating on incisors or mesial of canine isolate from first premolar to
1st
premolar. Metal retainer are not required for this isolation.
3) When operating on canine, it is preferable to isolate from 1st
molar to opposite
lateral incisor.
4) To treat a class V lesion on canine, isolate posteriorly to include first molar to
provide access for cervical retainer placement on canine.
5) When operating posterior teeth, isolate anteriorly to lateral incisor of opposite
side. Anterior teeth included in isolation provide better access and visibility to
operator and finger rest.
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17. 6) When operating premolar punch holes to include two teeth distally and extend
anterior up to opposite lateral incisor.
7) When operating molars, punch holes as far distally as possible and extend
anteriorly to include opposite lateral incisors.
8) Isolation of minimum of three teeth recommended except in endodotnic
therapy in which the tooth to be treated is isolated.
9) The distance between holes is equal to the distance from the center of one tooth
to the center of adjacent tooth measured at the level of gingival tissue. It is
generally ¼ inch (6.3 mm).
10)When the rubber dam is applied to the maxillary teeth the first holes are
punched of central incisors which are placed approximately 1 inch (25 mm)
from the upper border so that sufficient material to cover upper lip.
11)When the rubber dam is applied to mandibular tooth, the first hole punched is
for the post anchor tooth that receives the retainer. To determine the proper
location mentally divide the rubber dam into three vertical sections : left,
middle and right.
12)When a cervical retainer is applied to isolate a class V lesion, a heavier rubber
dam is usually recommended for better tissue retraction and the hole should be
punched slightly facially to the arch form to compensate for the extension of
the dam to the cervical area. The farther gignivally the lesion extends, the
further the hole must be positioned from the arch form. In addition the holes
should be larger and distance between it and holes for adjacent teeth should be
slightly increased.
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18. 13)When a thinner dam is used, smaller holes must be punched to achieve an
adequate seal around the teeth because the thin dam greatly elastic.
APPLICATION TECHNIQUES:
Preoperative Procedures:
• Patient’s mouth is examined carefully for calculus deposits, and sharp
edges on restoration.
• All contact points in operating field are checked with dental floss.
• All roughness and deposits present interdentally must be removed to allow
free passage of rubber dam and prevent tearing.
• Anaesthetize the gingiva when indicated
• Rinse an dry the operating field.
• Before rubber dam is applied to a patient a clear decision has to be made
about teeth should be isolated. Whether a single tooth or a group of teeth is
to be brought through the rubber dam will depend on the procedure to be
undertaken.
When a clamp is to be placed, three techniques of rubber dam application
are commonly used. The clamp can be applied before, after or along with the
rubber dam sheet.
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19. Technique 1: Clamp placement prior to rubber dam
Step 1:- Testing and lubricating the proximal contacts:- Passing the floss through
the contacts identifies any sharp edges of restorations or enamel that must be
smooth or removed from the teeth to be isolated. Waxed dental tape may lubricate
tight contacts to facilitate dam placement.
Step 2:- Punching the holes:- It is recommended that assistant punch the holes
after assessing the arch form and tooth alignment. Holes can be marked by using
template or rubber dam stamp.
Step 3:- Lubricating the dam:- Lubrication of both the sides of rubber dam in the
area of punched holes using cotton roll or gloved fingertips. The lips and corners
are lubricated with petroleum jelly or cocoa butter.
Step 4:- Selecting the retainer:- Try the retainer on tooth to verify retainers
stability and tie the floss.
Step 5:- Testing retainer stability and retention:- If during trial placement the
retainer seem to be acceptable, remove the forcep and check for stability and
retention.
Step 6:- Positioning the dam over the retainer:- With the forefinger stretch the
anchor hole of dam over the retainer bow first and then under jaw. The forefingers
may thin out to single thickness, the septal dam for the mesial contact of retainer
tooth and attempts to it through the contact lip of the hole first.
Step 7: Applying the Napkin:- The operator now gather the rubber dam in left
hand and inserts the right hand through the napkin opening and grasps the bunched
dam held by operator.
Step 8:- Positioning of Napkin
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20. Step 9:- Attaching the frame: The operator unfolds the dam and stretches over the
rubber dam frame.
Step 10:- Attaching the neck strap: (optional) Neck straps attached to the frame
and its tension is adjusted to stabilize the frame and hold the frame.
Step 11:- Passing the tooth to distal contact: If there is tooth distal to the retainer
the distal edge of post anchor hole should be passed through the contact.
Step 12:- Applying compound (optional): If stability of retainer is questionable,
low fusing modeling compound may be applied.
Step 13:- Applying the anterior anchor (if needed): The operator passes the dam
over the anterior anchor tooth anchoring anterior portion of rubber dam.
Step 14:- Passing the septa through contacts without taper. The operator passes the
septa through as many contacts as possible without the use of dental tape by
stretching the septal dam faciogingivally and linguogingivally with the forefingers.
Pressure from a blunt hand instrument (e.g. beaver-tail burnisher) applied in the
facial embrasure gingival to the contact usually is sufficient to obtain enough
separation to permit the septum to pass through contact.
Step 15:- Passing the septa through the contacts with tape. Use waxed dental tape
to pass the dam through the remaining contacts. Tape is preferred over floss
because its wider dimension more effectively carries the rubber septae through the
contact. The waxed variety makes passage easier and decreases the chances for
cutting holes in the septa or tearing the edges of holes.
Step 16:- Technique for using tape (optional):- Often several passes with dental
tape are required to carry a reluctant septum through a tight contact, when this
20

21. happen previously passed tape should be left in the gingival embrasure until the
entire septum has been placed successfully with passage of time.
Step 17:- Inverting the dam interproximally: Invert the dam into the gingival
sulcus to complete the seal around the tooth and prevent leakage.
Step 18:- Inverting the dam faciolingually: Complete the inversion facially and
lingually using an explorer or beaver-tail burnisher while the assistant directs a
stream of air onto the tooth. This is done by moving the explore around the neck
of the tooth facially and lingually with tip. The tooth surface or directed slightly
gingivally.
Step 19:- Using a saliva ejector
Step 20:- Confirming a properly applied rubber dam
Step 21:- Checking for access and visibility
Step 22:- Inserting the wedges
Technique 2: Applying dam and retainer simultaneously
Winged/ clamps are used in this technique. The retainer and dam may be
placed simultaneously to reduce the risk of retainer being swallowed or aspirated
before the dam is placed.
In this method first apply the posterior retainer to verify the stable fit.
Remove the retainer and with the forceps still holding the clamps, pass the bow
through the proper hole from the underside of dam.
When using retainer with lateral wings, place the retainer in hole punched
for the anchor tooth by stretching the dam to engage these wings. The operator
conveys the retainer (with dam) into the mouth and positions it on anchor tooth.
21

22. Technique 3: Applying dam before the retainer
The dam may be stretched over the anchor tooth before the retainer is
placed. It is recommended for anterior teeth perhaps including first premolar.
Preferred technique when double bow or butterfly clamps are selected.
Multiple tooth isolation:
Multiple restorations and quadrant dentistry may require much larger
number of teeth to be isolated.
- Whenever possible clamps should not be placed on the tooth which requires
restoration of proximal surfaces. The clamp is placed on the next tooth distal to
it. If tooth is narrow mesiodistally the second tooth to the distal is preferable to
provide optimum access.
- When several teeth require treatment the operating field is extended mesially
or across the arch to provide clear access to all the teeth and maximize
retention.
- The more teeth included the better the retraction of lips, cheek and tongue and
better the access.
- The minimum operating field for one tooth to be restored proximally will
therefore include teeth, one distal which will usually be clamped, and one
mesial which is often not clamped.
- As the rubber is passed through each of remaining contacts in operating field,
care must be taken to allow only one edge of the interdental web of rubber dam
i.e. leading edge to be carried initially into each contact area. This process is
referred to as “Knifing the rubber dam through the contacts”, accomplished by
22

23. stretching the rubber dam between the fingers to form a thin “knife edge”
aimed at contact point. Knife edge of the rubber dam can be often “sawn” past
the contact pulling it gingivally.
- The edge of rubber dam is inverted proximally first and then faciolingually. A
ligature of dental floss can be placed around the neck of tooth to hold the
rubber dam inverted.
REMOVAL OF RUBBER DAM:
Before removal of rubber dam, rinse and suction away any debris that may
have collected to prevent its falling into the floor of mouth during the removal
procedures.
Step 1: Cutting the septa: Stretch the dam facially pulling the septal rubber away
from gingival tissues and tooth. Clip each septum with blunted tip scissors, freeing
the dam from the inter proximal space, but the dam is left over the anterior and
posterior anchor teeth.
Step 2:- Removing the retainer: Remove the retainer by engaging it to the forceps.
Step 3: Removing the dam: Once the retainer is removed, release the dam from
anterior anchor tooth and remove the dam and frame simultaneously.
Step 4:- Wiping the lips: Wipe the lips with napkin immediately after the removal
of dam and frame.
Step 5:- Rinsing the mouth and managing the tissue
Step 6:- Extracting the dam
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24. RUBBER DAM IN CLINICAL RESTORATIVE PROCEDURES:
1) Endodontics: Rubber dam application in endodontics is essential to ensure the
patient’s safety during treatment. Aspiration or swallowing of root canal
instruments makes its use an integral part of endodontic practice.
2) Soft tissue control:- Control of lips, cheek and tongue can prove difficult with
some patient generally the young patient or patients who find hard to cooperate
during restorative procedure. The use of rubber dam enables fast and efficient
treatment in such cases.
3) Cavity preparation:- Rubber dam provides a controlled pleasant operating
environment. The enhanced contrast of cavity margins with rubber sheet,
improved access and safety, moisture control recompense for extra effort.
4) Specialized clamps / retainer:-
a. Clamps with the extended bows i.e. the bows lies more distally than the
standard clamp. E.g. Dentsply HW pattern and Ash AD pattern. They
can be used if the preparation distal surface of clamped tooth is
necessary.
b. Modified bow clamps designed to deal with problems encountered
when clamp has to be placed on the third molar. Standard clamp bow
interfere with the ramus of mandible. Modified bow clamps are so
designed that bow lies offset to one side i.e. palatal side and thus not
interfere with ramus.
The standard clamps can be modified by heat treatment and bending the
bow distally.
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25. Modification of rubber dam clamp increases access to distal surface of
anchor teeth.
c. Cervical retainer:- The use of cervical retainer for restoration of class V
cavity was recommended by Markley. E.g. of cervical retainer Ferrier
212 or Dentsply C. Teeth with cervical cavities which extend
subgingivally usually requires soft tissue at the gingival margin to be
retracted. The retraction force and retention of these clamps on the tooth
is provided mainly by impression compound which is softened and
moulded around the clamp bows and onto adjacent teeth. While the
impression compound is hardening, pressure is applied to the clamp to
press it gingivally and so reflect the soft tissue margins. As a rule the
facial jaw of the clamp should be 0.5 to 1 mm gingival to anticipated
location of gingival margin of completed tooth preparation.
5) Fixed bridge isolation:- It is sometimes necessary to isolate one or more
abutment teeth of a fixed bridge. Indications for fixed bridge isolation include
restoration of an adjacent proximal surface and cervical restoration of an
abutment teeth.
The rubber dam is punched as usual except for providing one large hole for
each unit in the bridge. Fixed bridge isolation is accomplished after the
remaining dam is applied.
A blunted curved suture needle with dental floss attached is threaded from the
facial aspect through the hole from the anterior abutment and bask through the
same hole on lingual side. The needle direction is then reviewed as it is passed
from the lingual side through the hole for the second bridge unit, then under
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26. the same anterior connector and through the hole of second bridge unit on
facial side. A square knot is then tied with the two ends of floss thereby pulling
the dam material smugly around the connector and into gingival embrasure.
6) Rubber dam in Pedodontics:- The age of the patient often dictates changes in
the procedures of rubber dam application. Because young patient have small
dental arches than adult patient holes should be punched accordingly. For primary
teeth isolation is usually from most post tooth to canine as the same side. Rubber
dam sheet is smaller 5 x 5 inch (12.5 x 12.5 cm).
The unpunched rubber dam is attached to the frame, the holes are punched,
the dam with frame is applied over the anchor tooth, and retainer is applied. The
jaws of the retainers should be directed more gingivally because of short clinical
crowns or because the anchor tooth’s height of contour is below the crest of
gingival tissue.
SS White No.27 recommended for primary and Ivory No.214 retainer for
young permanent teeth.
Isolated teeth with short clinical crowns (other than anchor tooth) may
require ligation to hold the dam position. Rubber dam described as “Rubber Rain
Coat” for young children.
ERRORS IN APPLICATION AND REMOVAL:
Certain errors in application and removal can prevent adequate moisture
control, reduce access and visibility or cause injury to the patient.
1) Off center arch form:- A rubber dam punched off center may not
adequately shield the patient’s oral cavity, allowing the foreign matter to
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27. escape down the patient’s throat. It can result in excess of material
superiorly that may occlude the patient’s nasal airway.
2) Inappropriate distance between the holes:- Too little distance precludes
adequate isolation because holes of rubber dam are stretched and will not fit
smugly around the necks of the teeth. Conversely too much distance causes
wrinkles between the teeth.
3) Incorrect arch form of holes:- If the punched arch form is tooth small, the
holes will be stretched open around the teeth, permitting leakage.
4) Inappropriate retainers:-
a. If too small, resulting in occasional breakage when jaws are
overspread.
b. Unstable on anchor tooth
c. Impinge on soft tissue
d. Impede wedge placement.
5) Retainer pinched tissue: Jaws and prongs of rubber dam retainer usually
depress the tissue but should not impinge on it.
6) Incorrect location of hole for class V lesion:- If there is an incorrect
location of hole for class V lesion and hole is not punched facial to arch
form, circulation of interproximal tissue will be diminished.
7) Sharp tips on No.212 retainer:- Sharp tips on retainer No.212 is dulled to
prevent damaging the cementum.
8) Incorrect technique for cutting septa:- During removal of rubber dam an
incorrect technique for cutting the septa may result in cut tissue or a torn
septa.
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28. WASHED FIELD APPARATUS:
This method employs inexpensive plastic tubing that is attached to saliva
ejector hose at one end and to the clamp or rubber dam itself at the other. Childers
and Marshall’s have recommended the use of clear vinyl tubing with inside
diameter of 0.0625 inch and an outside diameter of 0.125 inch. As connector for
saliva ejector hose recommended clear vinyl tubing with an inside diameter of
0.125 inch and outside diameter of 0.025 inch. The end of smaller diameter tube is
carried under the rubber dam frame and tucked under the bow o a wing of rubber
dam clamp in back of dam tubing may be attached to rubber dam by cyanoacrylate
adhesive. The washed field apparatus is used for evacuation of fluids from dam
when no assistant is available.
CONCLUSION:
When rubber dam is applied skillfully and thoughtfully any minor
drawbacks to patient are completely outweighed by outstanding benefits of this
excellent method of tooth isolation and patient protection. There are very few
situation in which one cannot have complete confidence that its use will enhance
the quality of dental treatment.
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29. REFERENCES:
1) Sturdwent’s Art and Science of Operative Dentistry. 4th
edition.
2) Rubber Dam in clinical Practice.
3) Atlas of Operative Dentistry. 2nd
edition.
4) Principles and Practice of Operative Dentistry. 3rd
edition.
5) Operative Dentistry Modern Theory and Practice. 1st
edition.
6) Fundamentals of Operative Dentistry by James B. Summit. 2nd
edition.
7) Operative Dentistry 1986; 11:42-45.
8) Journal of Endodontics 1986; 12:183-186.
9) British Dental Journal 1984; 156:402-403.
10) Journal of Endodontics 1984; 10: 544-545.
11) Journal of Endodontics 1984; 10: 452-454.
12) Quintessence International 2003 Nov-Dec 34(10)
13) Journal of Endodontics 2003 Oct. 29(10)
14) Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 1983; (5): 797-799.
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