3. Contents
Introduction
Goals of isolation
Advantage of isolation
Methods of isolation
Direct methods
Indirect methods
• Conclusion
4. Introduction
good accessibility and visibility ,
adequate room for
instrumentation
Necessary for easy manipulation
and insertion of restorative
materials
This control is attained through
isolation
5. Goals of isolation
Moisture control
Retraction and access
Harm prevention
Safe and aseptic operating field
Prevent accidental swallowing of restorative materials
and instruments
6. Advantages of isolation
Patient related:
A. Provides comfort
B. Protect from swallowing or aspirating foreign
bodies
C. Protect soft tissues by retracting them
7. Operator related:
A. dry clean operative field
B. Infection control
C. Increased accessibility to operative site
D. Improved properties of restorative materials
E. Improved visibility & less fogging of mirror
F. Prevents contamination of tooth preparation
9. Rubber dam
One of the most effective means of isolating teeth
Developed by SC Barnum in 1864
10. Advantages of rubber dam
Increases visibility & accessibility
Provides a dry field
Effectively retracts tongue, cheeks away from the field of
operation
Saves time
Reduces the chances of injury to soft tissues
Produces calming effect in children
Protects against bad taste of the materials used
Prevents any aspiration or ingestion of dental
instruments
11. Disadvantages of rubber dam
Takes time to be applied
Communication with the patient can be difficult
Incorrect use may damage porcelain
crowns/gingival tissues
Insecure clamps can be swallowed or aspirated
12. Contraindications
child with upper respiratory tract infection,
congestion of nasal passage or nasal
obstruction
Presence of some fixed orthodontic appliances
recently erupted tooth
Patients with allergy to latex
grossly carious teeth
13. Armamentarium
Rubber dam sheet
Rubber dam template
Rubber dam punch
Rubber dam clamps
Rubber dam forceps
Rubber dam frame
Rubber dam napkin
Waxed dental floss
Scissors
Lubricants
14. Rubber dam sheet
made of latex or non-latex.
Available in 2 sizes- ❶ 5”*5”
❷ 6”*6”
Available in varying thickness
Thin – 0.15 mm
Medium – 0.20 mm
Heavy – 0.25 mm
Extra-heavy – 0.30 mm
Special heavy – 0.35mm
15. Light and dark sheets are available, may be
flavored for the children
Has a shiny and dull surface, dull side will be
facing the operating field
16. Rubber dam template
Have positions of the teeth
marked on them and are
used to transfer them to
the rubber dam sheet for
holes to be punched
17. Rubber dam punch
Used to make the holes in
the sheet through which
the teeth can be isolated
18.
19. Common hole placement problems
Holes punched too close together – holes pull
away from teeth causing leakage
Holes punched too far apart– dam bunches up
between teeth
Holes position too low on the dam – dam
covers patient’s eyes or nose
Holes position too high on dam – dam does not
extend over upper lip
20. Rubber dam clamps
Made of shiny & dull stainless steel
consists of a bow & 2 jaws
Aid in anchoring the dam to the
tooth & in soft tissue retraction
2 types :
Winged
Wingless
Wingless
Winged
21. Frequently used clamps
used in pediatric
dentistry :
12A clamp -- maxillary left second
primary molar and the mandibular
right second primary molar
13A clamp -- maxillary right
second primary molar and the
mandibular left primary second
molar.
12A clamp
13A clamp
23. Clamps for front teeth
Ivory # 6
Ivory # 15
Ivory # 212SIvory # 90N
Ivory # 9
24. Dental floss
After selecting the
appropriate clamp place a 12
inch piece of dental floss on
the bow of the clamp to aid in
retrieval of the clamp if it is
dislodged from the tooth and
falls into the posterior
pharyngeal area
25. Rubber dam clamp forceps
Used for placement and
removal of retainer from the
tooth.
26. Grooves on their outer surfaces to ensure positive
location of the clamp during expansion & placement.
27. Rubber dam frame
maintains the border of the dam in position
Support the edges of the rubber dam
Retract the soft tissues
Available in metal and plastic
28. Plastic frame :
Nygard-Ostby frame
U-shaped frame made of plastic
Because of its shape, exerts
less tension on the dam
Easier to use
Requires no absorbent napkin,
when taking radiographs
Stands away from face
29. Metal frame :
Young frame
U-shaped metal frame
with small metal
projections for securing
borders of the rubber dam.
30. Modifications
Le Cadre Articule rubber
dam frame (articulated
frame)
Developed in France by
Dr. G Saveur
Curved to fit the face and hinged
in the middle to fold back
Advantage -- Allows easier
access for radiographic film
placement
31. Handidam (Aseptico,
Woodenville)
Has a built in foldable
radiolucent frame and a plastic
tube inserted in prepared holes in
rubber dam material to keep the
dam open
Available in one size
32. Advantages
Pre-framed, flexible design facilitates access to
the oral cavity for suction, X-ray films, or digital
X-ray sensors
Extremely low protein content reduces patient
irritation (<50 micrograms)
Saves time–eliminates the need to remove and
replace traditional dam during the procedure
Greater patient acceptance
33. Quick dam
Comes with an attached flexible
plastic frame or rim that supports
dam intraorally
Effective in saliva control anterior
part of the mouth than posterior
part
Has a pliable plastic frame around
perimeter of the rubber dam
35. Instidam (Zirc company)
Simple & effective isolation
system
It is a pre punched rubber
dam mounted on a frame
Compact design fits outside
patient lips
36. Advantages :
Non threatening & comfortable to patient
Very stretchable
Tear resistant
Provides easy visibility
Radiographs can be taken without
removing the dam
37. Lubricants
Before positioning the dam –
lubricate the inner surface
well with Vaseline or soap
so that sheet will slide better
over the contours of the
teeth, more easily overcome
the contact areas & close
tightly around the cervix
38. Rubber dam napkins
Prevent direct contact
between the rubber sheet &
patient’s cheek
Absorb saliva that
accumulate beneath the dam
by capillary action
Indicated in cases of allergy
to the rubber dam
39. Preparation of the patient for rubber
dam
The dam can be
presented as a ‘raincoat’
that keeps the tooth dry
and held on by a button
(clamp) & kept straight by
a coat hanger (frame)
40. Step 1 : Testing and
lubricating the proximal
contacts
Dental floss is used to test the
inter proximal contact and
remove debris from the tooth to
be isolated
Identifies any sharp edges of
restoration or enamel that must
be smoothened
Using waxed dental tape may
lubricate tight contacts to facilitate
dam placement
42. Step 3 : Lubricating the
dam
lubricate both sides of the rubber
dam in the area of punched hole
using a cotton role or gloved
finger tip to apply the lubricant
lips and corner of the mouth may
be lubricated with petroleum jelly
or cocoa butter to prevent
irritation
43. Step 4 : Selecting the
clamp
operator receive the rubber dam
retainer forceps with the selected
retainer and floss tie in position
free end of tie should exit from
cheek side of the retainer
Care should be taken not to open
the retainer more than necessary to
secure it in the forceps
44. Step 5: Testing the
retainers stability and
retention
Test the retainers stability and
retention by lifting gently in an
occlusal direction with a finger tip
under the bow of the retainer
An improperly fitting retainer rocks
or easily dislodged
45. Step 6: Placement
3 techniques :
Dam first
Clamp first
Dam & clamp together
46. Dam first
Finger tip is introduced in the dam opening to better illustrate the patient
the functions of this rubber sheet
59. Advantages :
Not a difficult procedure to perform
Very less chances of dislodgement of the
clamp
Most commomly used technique
60. General rule for
limited isolation
Include one tooth
posterior & 2 teeth
anterior to the tooth
being operated on
Limited isolation for operating
maxillary left 2nd premolar
61. Step 7 : Passing the
septa through contacts
Use waxed dental tape to pass
the dam through the contacts
Tape is preferred over floss
because
wider dimension more effectively
carries rubber septa through
contacts
not likely to cut the septa
Waxed variety makes passage
easier & decreases chances for
cutting holes in the septa
62. Step 8 : Using a
saliva ejector
Use of saliva ejector is
optional because most
patient usually prefer to
swallow the saliva
Salivation greatly
reduced when profound
anaesthesia is obtained
63. Step 9 : Confirming a
properly applied rubber dam
Properly applied rubber dam is
securely positioned and
comfortable to the patient
64. Step 10 : Checking for accessibilty &
visibilty
Check to see that the completed rubber dam provides
maximal access and visibility for the operative procedure
65. Removal of dam
Step 1 : Cutting the septa
Stretch the dam facially ,
pulling the septal rubber
away from the gingival tissue
and tooth
Protect the under lying tissue
by placing the finger tip
beneath the septum
66. Step 2 : Removing the retainer
Engage the retainer forceps with retainer &
remove it
67. Step 3 : Removing the
dam
After the retainer is
removed ,release the
dam from the anterior
anchor tooth and
remove the dam and
frame simultaneously
68. Step 4 : Wiping the lips
Wipe the patient lip with the napkin immediately
after the dam and frame are removed
Prevents saliva from getting on to the patient’s
face
69. Step 5: Rinsing the mouth & massaging the
tissues
Rinse the teeth and mouth using air water spray
and high-volume evacuator
Massage the tissues around the anchor teeth to
enhance the circulation
70. Step 6 : Examining the dam
Lay the teeth of rubber dam
over a light -colored flat surface
or hold it up to the operating
light to determine that no
portion of the rubber dam has
remained between or around
the teeth
Such a remnant would cause
gingival inflammation
71. Cleaning of clamps after use
Cleaning –
Clamps should be rinsed & cleaned
immediately after the procedure
Failure to clean will decrease the life of the
clamp & can result in staining & corroding
Rinse & remove excess material before
ultrasonic cleaning
Allow clamps to dry
72. Sterilization –
Important to remove excess restorative material
from the clamp before sterilization as it may
damage the clamp
Autoclave – 15 min at 130°C/266°F
• Inspection –
Inspect the clamp for wear, distortion or
damage
Discard if distorted
73. Care –
Do not bend or distort the clamp
Do not let clamps get scratched by other clamps
or instruments
When using obturation techniques involving
sodium hypochlorite, immediately rinse clamps
with water after the clamp is removed
75. Off center arch form
May not adequately shield the
patient’s oral cavity, allowing
foreign matter to escape down
patient’s throat
May result in an excess dam
material superiorly that may
occlude patient’s nasal airway
Superior border of dam may
me folded or cut from around
patient’s nose
76. Inappropriate retainer
May be :
Too small resulting in occasional breakage
when the jaws are overspread
Unstable on the anchor tooth
Impinge on soft tissues
An appropriate retainer should maintain a stable
four point contact with the anchor tooth
77. Retainer pinched tissue
Jaws & prongs of the retainer usually slightly
depress the tissues but should never pinch or
impinge on it
78. Shredded or torn dam
care should be taken to prevent tearing the
dam during hole punching or passing the septa
through contact
79. Incorrect technique for cutting the
septa
May result in cutting soft tissues or tearing of
septa
Stretching the septa away from gingiva,
protecting the lip & cheek with an index finger,
using curved beak scissors decreases the risk
80. Precautions :
Rubber dam should not obstruct patient’s airway thus
should not cover his nose
Holes should be prepared in rubber dam for patients
with upper respiratory tract obstruction
Patients with allergy to latex –
Latex free rubber dam should be used
Rubber dam napkin can be used
81. Latex allergy
Latex – products made from the milky fluid of the rubber
tree ‘Hevea brasiliensis’
Caused by continuous contact with the natural rubber
latex products
E.g.- rubber gloves, rubber dam, bite blocks, ortho
elastics, rubber stoppers, prophy cups
It is essential that dental health care professionals are
aware of the warning signs & keep a watchful eye for
those signs in patients & themselves
82. Types of latex reactions :
Type 4 reaction
Contact dermatitis
Thought to be caused by chemicals
added to the latex during processing
Reactions take up 2 days to
develop
Symptoms : swelling & redness of
skin, cracked, itchy & dry skin
83. Type 1 reactions :
Appear to be caused by protein found
in natural rubber latex
Generally takes pace within seconds to
minutes after exposure
Can cause life threatening anaphylaxis,
low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia,
difficulty in breathing & even death
Symptoms : Hives, Wheezing, Running
nose, itchy eyes, tingling of the lips,
swelling of eyelids, light headedness,
difficulty in breathing
84. Case report
Raggio DP et al, 2010 –
9 yr old female patient
First contact with latex happened on her first birthday
party with a balloon, resulting in swelling on body
According to mother’s report – presented strong reaction
after contact with latex gloves during laboratory blood
test, proved NRL allergy
85. Vinyl gloves were used
Vinyl gloves as an alternative to rubber
dam
metallic saliva ejector
86. Identification of clients at risk
Clients who have experienced rash, itching, swelling, nose or
eye irritation or shortness of breath after contact with any latex
product ( balloons, erasers, gloves, rubber dam)
Clients with spina bifida, eczema, banana, chestnut or avocado
allergies
Clients with frequent or prolonged hospital treatment or multiple
surgeries
Clients with frequent occupational exposure to latex products
87. Precautions for the latex sensitive patients
Take thorough medical history
Refer the patient to physician for latex sensitive testing
Emergency medical kit with non latex airway bags, mask,
bandages & tape should be available
Schedule latex sensitive patients as the first patient of the day
Use glass syringes over plastic or pre-filled or single use
syringes since plunger may contain rubber
Use non latex devices (gloves, dams ,etc) & rubber dam napkins
If a reaction occurs, discontinue the treatment & observe the
patient for at least 20 min, medical intervention may be needed
88. Cotton rolls & cellulose
wafers
Available in different diameters, cut to
variant lengths & have plain or woven
surfaces
Stabilized & held sublingually with
specific holders or with an anchoring
rubber dam clamp
Can be applied without holders, over or
lateral to salivary gland orifices
Cellulose wafers provide additional
absorbency
89. Advantage – Slight retraction of cheeks
aiding in visibility & access
Precaution:
Moisten the cotton rolls & cellulose wafers
while removing to prevent inadvertent
removal of epithelium from cheeks, floor of
mouth or lips
90. Gauze piece or throat
shields
Indicated when there is
danger of aspirating or
swallowing small objects,
when rubber dam is not
being used
Used in pieces of 2”x2” or
larger
Particularly important when
treating teeth in maxillary
arch
91. Gauze sponge unfolded & spread over
the tongue& posterior part of the mouth
Advantage –
Better tolerated by delicate tissues
Less adherence to dry tissues
compared to cotton
92. Dri – angle
A thin, absorbent, cellulose triangle
Unique replacement on the cotton roll
in the parotid area
Covers the parotid or Stensen's duct
and effectively restricts the flow of
saliva
Provides the required Dri-Field for
Composites
Bonding
Cementing
Comes in two types: plain and silver
coated
93. Saliva ejector & high
volume evacuating
equipment
Saliva ejector prevent
pooling of saliva in the floor
of the mouth
High volume evacuating
equipment removes solid
debris along with water
Saliva ejector
High volume evacuator
94. Types of saliva ejectors :
Metallic –
Autoclavable
Rubber tip to avoid irritating delicate tissues on
floor of the mouth
Plastic – Disposable & inexpensive
96. Requirements :
Tip should always be molded to face backwards
with a slight upward curvature
Floor of the mouth under the tip should be
covered with gauze to prevent injury to soft
tissues
Should not interfere with instrumentation
97. Advantages
Provides an adequate dry field
No dehydration of oral tissues
Precautions
Should be disinfected after each use
Child patient- cautioned not to close his mouth
98. Retraction cords
Used for isolation & retraction in direct
procedures of treatment of accessible
sub gingival area
Diameter of cord should be selected
such that it is gently inserted into
gingival sulcus, producing lateral
displacement of the free gingiva
without blanching
Cord may be moistened with a non
caustic styptic before insertion
(Hemodent)
99. 3 sizes :
Sizes Quality Diameter
Size 0 Super thin 0.45
Size 1 Thin 0.55
Size 2 Medium 0.8
100. Advantages –
May help restrict excessive restorative materials from
entering the gingival sulcus
Provide better access for contouring & finishing the
restorative material
Prevent abrasion of gingival tissue during tooth
preparation
Used primarily to push the gum tissue away from the
prepared margins of the tooth, in order to create an
accurate impression of the teeth
101. Mouth props
Can be potential aid for
lengthy appointment on
posterior teeth
Should maintain suitable
mouth opening
Types –
Block
Ratchet
103. Ideal characteristics -
Should be adaptable to all mouths
Should be easily positioned & removed with
no patient discomfort
Should be stable once applied
Should be either sterilizable or disposable
104. Mouth mirror
Secondary function -- Helps to retract
cheeks, lip & tongue in the absence of rubber
dam
105. Indirect methods :
Local anaesthesia
Drugs –
Anti sialogogues (Atropine)
Anti anxiety ( Diazepam)
106. Conclusion
A thorough knowledge of the preliminary procedures
reduces the physical strain on the dental team
associated with the daily dental treatment, reduces
patient’s anxiety associated with dental procedures &
enhance moisture control thereby improving the quality
of operative dentistry
107. References
Sturdevant’s Art and Science of Operative Dentistry
Grossman’s Endodontic practice
Shobha tandon. Textbook of Peadodontics
MS Muthu. Pediatic Dentistry, Principles & Practice
Vimal K Sikri. Textbook of operative dentistry
Raggio DP et al. Latex allergy in dentistry: clinical cases
report. J Clin Exp Dent. 2010;2(1):55-9