Rubber dam was introduced byBarnum, a New York dentist in 1863
Advantages of using a rubber dam
• It is raincoat for the teeth• It helps in improving accessibility and visibility of the working area• It gives a clean and dry aseptic field while working• It protects the lips, cheeks and tongue by keeping them out of the way• It helps to avoid unnecessary contamination through infection control• It protects the patient from inhalation or ingestion of instruments and medicaments• It helps in keeping teeth saliva free while performing a root canal so that tooth does not get decontaminated by bacteria present in saliva• It improves the efficiency of the treatment
• It limits bacterial laden splash and splatter of saliva and blood