The dental dam is a simple yet effective tool that’s a vital part of a majority of dental treatments across the world today. 

A dental dam, also known as a rubber dam, is fixed in position during dental treatments using clamps. These rubber dam clamps ensure that the tool is held in place throughout the procedure to aid the dentist in efficiently carrying out the procedure.

Dental dams were first introduced as early as the 19th century, with the primary use lying in restorative procedures, like cavity filling. However, the tool is now a staple in modern dentistry and is used in a majority of major and minor dental procedures, including cavity filling, root canal treatment, teeth whitening, periodontal surgeries, and many more. 

Dental dams are typically made up of rubber or latex. However, ones made up of alternate materials, such as polyurethane, are also available for patients who have latex allergies. 

This small but mighty useful tool’s primary purpose is to isolate one or more teeth from the rest of the mouth. By exposing only the affected tooth that requires treatment, dentists can conduct successful procedures with precision. 

The dental dam is in the form of a thin latex sheet on which a small hole is punched to expose the area or tooth to be treated. The tool is fixed over the mouth with the help of rubber dam clamps that secure it in the same position and prevent it from moving around during the procedure. 

The fixed dental rubber dam creates a physical barrier between the tooth that’s being treated and the rest of the oral cavity. This not only offers dentists precision, but it also keeps bacteria, saliva, and other fluids (like blood or chemicals for teeth whitening), if applicable, away from the treatment area in the oral cavity. 

The isolation is not just helpful during the procedure in preventing re-infection and protecting the rest of the oral cavity, it also keeps the patient comfortable even during procedures that take up a lot of time. 

During root canal procedures, the dentist needs to reach the innermost layer of the infected tooth, which is also the most sensitive. In such a case, hygiene and precision are critical. A dental dam isolates the tooth under treatment and safeguards it from re-infection by offering a sterile environment. 

As tooth isolation prevents bacteria and fluids from exiting the affected area or entering the affected area, the dentist has free interruptions. This means that a dental rubber dam aids in quicker completion of dental procedures while enabling precision and accuracy. Given the comfort and shortened duration required to complete the procedure, the patient is more cooperative throughout, increasing the success rate of the procedure. 

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