Equipment
Dental Dam
A thin sheet of latex or silicone used to isolate one or more teeth during treatment.
A dental dam (sometimes called a rubber dam) is stretched over a small frame and clipped around the tooth being treated. It keeps the working area dry, prevents debris and irrigation fluids from entering the patient's throat, and protects the soft tissues from rotary instruments. Dental dams are considered the standard of care for root canal therapy and are widely used during composite restorations because moisture control directly affects how well the bonding material adheres. Patients often appreciate them because they reduce the unpleasant taste of materials and the urge to rinse mid-procedure.