Advantages of using rubber dam

The dam eliminates saliva from the operating site and retracts the soft tissue. Benefits to the clinician include:
- Constant retraction of the lips and tongue (clinician does not need to hold in place)
- Easy analysis of the tissue to be treated (aided by contrast with the dam color)
- No noise from the aspirator (the patient can swallow)
- Less conversation with the patient
- Easier to treat by quadrant
- Optimum performance of bonding materials
- No contamination of the working field or adjacent tissues
Advantages for the patient include:
- No swallowing of instruments/materials
- Shorter working times
- Protection of the tongue, soft tissues, and perioral tissues

For most procedures, rubber dam isolation is the preferred method of obtaining a dry, clean ield.
he operator is best able to perform procedures such as
- proper tooth preparation,
- caries removal,
- and insertion of restorative materials in a dry ield.
he time saved by operating in a clean field with good visibility may more than compensate for the time spent applying the rubber dam.
When excavating a deep caries lesion and risking pulpal exposure, use of the rubber dam is strongly recommended to prevent pulpal contamination from bacteria in oral fluids.

he rubber dam provides maximal access and visibility.
It controls moisture and retracts soft tissue.
Gingival tissue is mildly retracted so as to enhance access to and visibility of the gingival aspects of the tooth preparation.
he dam also retracts the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
A dark-colored rubber dam provides a nonreflective background, which is in contrast to the operating site.

he rubber dam prevents moisture contamination and compromise of restorative materials used during the procedure.
Amalgam restorative material does not achieve its optimum physical properties if used in a wet field.
Bonding to enamel and dentin is severely compromised or nonexistent if the tooth substrate is contaminated with saliva, blood, or other oral luids.
Some studies have concluded that no diference exists between the use of the rubber dam and cotton roll isolation as long as control of sources of contamination is maintained during the restorative procedures.
- However, the efectiveness of rubber dam isolation allows freedom to focus on the details of the restorative procedure, which is especially advantageous for those procedures that are technique sensitive.

Conversation with the patient is limited.
The rubber dam retainer helps provide a moderate amount of mouth opening during the procedure.
Quadrant restorative procedures are facilitated.
Many state dental practice acts permit the assistant to place the rubber dam, thus saving time for the dentist.

It protects the patient from aspirating or swallowing small instruments or debris associated with operative procedures.
A properly applied rubber dam protects soft tissue and the tongue from irritating or distasteful medicaments (e.g., etching and astringent agents).
he dam also ofers some soft tissue protection from rotating burs and stones.
Authors disagree on whether the rubber dam protects the patient from mercury exposure during amalgam removal.
it is generally agreed that the rubber dam is an efective infection control barrier for the dental oice.