If you ever had a root canal or a filling done in your mouth, and saw your dentist stretching a blue or green sheet over your mouth, that would be called a rubber dam. Strange to a patient, but to a dentist, it would be the most vital tool in the clinic.
What is It?
It is a thin membrane of rubber for isolating one or more teeth during an operative procedure. It is essential in creating an environment free from moisture and contaminants, for example, with root canal treatment, composite filling, or crown preparation.
Why Is It Important?
It prevents contamination from saliva.
It protects your airway from the possibility of swallowing instruments or irrigants.
It increases the visibility of the area the dentist is working on and the accuracy of the treatment.
It improves the success rate of the treatment.
It speeds up treatment and makes it safer for the dentist and patient.
Common Misconception:
“For one tooth only, do I need all this?”
Yes, because even one drop of anything may allow the huge army of bacteria to get through and possibly cause the failure of treatment during those very delicate procedures. So the next time the dentist uses a rubber dam, remember: It’s not an inconvenience; it is a quality work being done there.
