Rubber Dam AssemblyA dental dam or rubber dam is a rectangular sheet of latex (or non latex) used in dentistry in particular endodontic therapy, to reduce contamination, and where dental composites are being placed, due to the need for the area to remain dry during filling placement.

Materials Materials

Rubber Dam Rubber Dam Clamp #7 for most molars#2 for all premolars

#14 teeth not errupted all the way

Rubber Dam Punch Rubber Dam Frame and Forceps

Rubber Dam Template

ProcedureDetermine the arch to be isolated before starting.

Place the rubber sheet on rubber dam template and shift it about a quarter inch to the side you are working on. In other words the rubber dam sheet should not line up with the template square flush, it should be offset to the working side.

Using a sharpie, mark the dots on the rubber dam sheet from the most posterior tooth in that arch to the midline.

Using the largest hole in the hole puncher punch out the holes.

Apply the rubber dam to the rubber dam frame as seen in the photo.

Place the rubber dam clamp on the most posterior hole with the bow of the clamp always nearest to the back of the throat.

Apply "rubber dam lubricant" (KY Jelly) to the underneath surface to facilitate flossing it in between the teeth.