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ORMP 1000 - Dental dam

Ms Ralephenya

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Class exercise

1. What is a dental dam?

2. Identify the following materials.

3. Practice to place the material.

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Dental dam (Phinney and Halstead, 2003)

Method of isolating teeth before the placement of restorations.

Placed after applying local anesthetic.

Placed to isolate one tooth or one or more quadrants.

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Dental dam placed on tooth (Google)

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Advantages of dental dam use (Phinney and Halstead, 2003)

Greater visibility because of the contrast between tooth & dental dam material

Greater accessibility to operating field by retracting the gingiva, tongue, cheeks & lips

Control of moisture to keep area dry to assist in etching, bonding & restoring

Protection for pt from swallowing or aspirating debris during the procedure

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Advantages of dental dam use (cont.) (Phinney & Halstead, 2003)

Protection of gingiva from acid etch

Improved patient management & decreased operating time

Protective barrier for patient

Decreased amount of contaminated aerosol exposure

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Contraindications to dental dam (Phinney and Halstead, 2003)

Physical conditions

Concerned pts

Conditions in oral cavity

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Dental dam materials (Phinney and Halstead, 2003)

Dental dam punch Forceps Frame Dental dam napkin Tucking

instruments Scissors Widgets ligature

Dental dam clamp Dental dam Floss Lubricant Stabilizing cord Inverting or tucking

instrument

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Preparation for placing dental dam (Phinney & Halstead, 2003)

Educating patient

Determining area to be isolated

Dividing the dental dam

Punching the dental dam

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Important issues to note (Phinney and Halstead, 2003)

Common errors when punching the dam

Placement & removal procedures for the dental dam

Placing the dental dam for the pediatric pt

Alternatives to full dental dam placement

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References

1. Phinney, D.J. and Halstead, J.H. (2003) Delmar’s dental assisting: a comprehensive approach. New York: Delmar Thomson Learning