2. Introduction
Dr Sanford Christie Barnum in 1864.
Rubber dam method application by
Dr Hodson in 1870.
3. Advantages
Isolation of the tooth from saliva, blood,
gingival exudates.
Aids isolation from bacteria of saliva.
Protects patients from swallowing or inhaling
the instruments.
Prevents infection of patient to the dentist
Creates a psychological barrier between
patient and dentist.
4. Additional uses
After periodontal surgery along with
periodontal pack
Root planning
Thermal test
Electric pulp testing
5. Disadvantages
Patient cannot speak
Claustrophobia
Time consuming
Sensitivity to teeth for some time after
removal.
8. Armamentarium
Rubber dam sheet
Rubber dam frame
Rubber dam clamp
Rubber dam clamp holder
Ainsworth rubber dam punch
Floss or wedges or wood stick
Rubber dam template
Rubber dam lubricant
Napkin
13. Steps of Rubber Dam Application
Cleaning of teeth
Selection of clamp
Punching of hole in rubber dam
Flossing the clamp
Application of the rubber dam
Application of lubricant & flossing through
contact with lubricant
Application of napkin and holder
14. Pre Operative Assessment
1. Patient`s mouth – calculus or any sharp
edges of instrument
2. Contact points
3. Rinse and dry mouth
4. Local anesthesia before application
15. Selection of clamp
Four point contact below the maximum
coronal diameter.
Try bland type first followed by retentive
Measure M-D crown length at gingival
margin and select clamp just smaller to it.
For sub gingival restoration use-
Ferrier 212 clamp
Thick rubber dam
16. Clamp selection
S No Clamp Teeth
1 #8 A,
#14 A
For irregularly shaped, structurally
compromised or partially erupted molars
2 #9, #212 Anteriors
3 #00, #1,
#2
Maxillary Premolars, Primary incisors and
Canine
Large Bicuspids, Primary first molar
4 #3, #4, #8, #7,
#W56
Molars
5 #12A
#13A
Lower right, Upper right molars
Lower left & upper left molars
17. Rubber Dam Sheet
Sr No Type Thickness
(mm)
Thickness
(inches)
1 Thin 0.15 0.006
2 Medium 0.20 0.008
3 Heavy 0.25 0.010
4 Extra heavy 0.30 0.012
5 Super heavy 0.35 0.014
18. Colour of sheet
Sr No Colour Special Uses
1 Blue/ Green Photography
2 Black For contrast with enamel for fillings
3 Grey Alternative for black colour
4 Transparent Endodontics
19. Punch holes
S No Hole Teeth
1 A Mandibular 1 molar,
Large maxillary molar
2 B Maxillary molar small,
Second primary molar
3 C Canine , Premolars,
First primary molar
4 D Upper incisors
5 E Lower incisors
21. Rubber dam fixation
Single tooth isolation Multiple teeth isolation
1. Fissure sealants
2. Class I and Class V cavity
restoration
3. Endodontics
1. Bleaching
2. Class II restoration
3. Multiple restorations
Preferably winged clamp for
retaining
Preferably wingless clamp for
retaining
Posterior most tooth or
operating tooth
Premolar to premolar ,
premolar to contra lateral
lateral incisor
22. Method of Application
Sr
No
Methods Utility
1 Clamp before rubber dam Posterior teeth in
children and adults
2 Clamp along with rubber
dam
Third molars
3 Clamp after rubber dam
placement
Anteriors and
Premolars
23. Guidelines
Sr
No
Teeth
Operating
Teeth applied with rubber dam
1 Incisors Canine to canine (Clamp not
compulsory)
2 Canines 1st premolar to 1st premolar
3 Posteriors Two teeth distal to lateral
incisors of contralateral side
4 Any other At least one tooth distal and
one tooth mesial