Dental dam

Dental Dam

A Dental dam or Rubber dam (also termed "Kofferdam"--from German), is a thin, 6 by 6 inch (15 cm × 15 cm), square sheet, usually latex or nitrile, used in dentistry to isolate the operative site (one or more teeth) from the rest of the mouth.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the dental dam is to prevent the spread of infection during dental procedures. It is used in a variety of dental procedures including fillings, root canals, and crowns. The dental dam also prevents the patient from swallowing or inhaling small instruments or pieces of tooth during the procedure.

Usage

To use a dental dam, the dentist will first select the appropriate size for the patient's mouth. The dam is then placed over the tooth or teeth that are to be worked on. The dam is held in place by a clamp that fits around the tooth. The dam is then stretched over the clamp and tooth, creating a barrier between the tooth and the rest of the mouth.

Advantages

The use of a dental dam provides several advantages. It provides a clean and visible working field, prevents contamination of the oral cavity by debris and saliva during the procedure, and increases patient safety by preventing ingestion or inhalation of instruments.

Disadvantages

Despite its advantages, the use of a dental dam can have some disadvantages. Some patients may feel discomfort or claustrophobia with the dam in place. It can also be difficult to use in patients with severe gag reflexes or in those who have difficulty breathing through their nose.

Alternatives

In cases where a dental dam cannot be used, alternatives such as the Isolite system, which uses a lighted retractor to isolate the teeth, can be used.

See Also

• Dentistry
• Oral hygiene
• Root canal
• Dental fillings
• Dental crowns

Dental dam Resources
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