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Rubber dam (dental dam)
Also called: dental dam, dam sheet, isolation dam
A stretchy sheet with holes punched for the teeth, which isolates them from saliva.
The rubber dam is a sheet of latex or non-latex material. Holes are punched for the teeth to be treated, and the sheet is stretched over them and held with a clamp and frame. It keeps the area dry, keeps small instruments and irrigants out of the throat, and holds back the cheek and tongue.
How to spot it
- A square sheet (often green, blue or gray) that comes in different thicknesses.
What it is used for
- Root canals, many fillings and bonding procedures.
Safety and care
- Ask about latex allergy; use a non-latex dam when needed.
- Dam sheets are single-use.
Related
Sources: Endodontics lecture 5: The Rubber Dam and Its Applications