A rubber dental dam is a thin, protective sheet of rubber that covers your mouth and teeth.  The dental dam keeps your teeth dry and isolated and allows us to do a better job.

How is a rubber dental dam placed?

To place a dental dam, we secure it to a small clamp that slides over one of your teeth.  Then we’ll stretch the dental dam over a small frame that holds it tight and keeps it out of the way.

Why do we use a rubber dental dam?

Normally, your teeth are bathed in saliva, and this is usually beneficial to them.  However, when we are working on your teeth, it’s better if the area is kept dry.  The dental dam enables us to prepare your tooth with precision, and the adhesives we use when restoring your teeth require a dry environment to bond properly.

We also use a dental dam to protect you from swallowing or inhaling liquids, small particles, and vapors that are produced during the dental procedure.  A dental dam also protects your tongue and cheek.

A dental dam may feel a little strange at first, but it adds another layer of protection for you, lets us work faster, and do a better job.

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