Dental treatments with dental dam / rubber dam in Zurich ❱ Zahnarzt am Löwenplatz

Facts about treatment with dental dams / rubber dam

Definition:	Separating the tooth to be treated from the surrounding teeth and saliva in the mouth
Application reason:	The treatment area remains free of saliva and toxic materials such as amalgam cannot enter the body
Duration of treatment:	Depending on the number and position of teeth, dental dam or rubber dam will be applied within 1-2 min

The dental dam is a long-established aid for dental procedures. As long as 150 years ago, a thin latex sheet was perforated and placed over the tooth to be treated so that it was shielded from the rest of the oral cavity. The material was secured with rubber bands, Braces or even Dental floss. This kept the tooth free of saliva, so that the dry treatment area also improved the precision and durability of fillings. The thin membrane is hardly noticeable to the patient and therefore does not cause any discomfort. As the dental dam has a number of advantages, we also use it in our dental practice in Zurich, especially when removing old fillings or bonding new composite and ceramic restorations.

Frequently asked questions about dental dams

What alternatives are there to the dental dam?

In addition to the dental dam, there are aids that keep the oral cavity dry and secure it in a comparable way. These include so-called MiniDams. These are small silicone clamps that are placed over the Tooth to be treated and secured with a rubber band. Another option is the cheek retractor called Optragate, which keeps the cheeks and lips away from the treatment area, while the tongue is not restricted in its movement. The simplest alternative to the dental dam is a combination of a saliva ejector and Optragate.

Does the use of the dental dam cause pain?

The use of a dental dam does not cause any pain. In some cases, there may be a slight feeling of pressure from the rubber dam clamps. However, this disappears again after removal of the dental dam.

Are there any risks associated with dental dam treatment?

Treatment with a dental dam does not usually entail any risks or side effects. On the contrary: it protects patients from hazardous substances that can escape during treatment and possibly lead to long-term complications in the body. The dental dam in our dental practice is made of natural latex, but we are happy to use latex-free alternatives, especially for allergy sufferers.

Your advantages of a dental dam in our practice

Zahnarzt Zürich blaues Behandlungszimmer

Treatment done by specialists
20 years+ of dental experience
Modern clinic with air conditioning
Comfortable state of the art dental treatment chairs with massage function
2D/3D Xrays for precice diagnostics and low radiation
Enjoy your favorite Netflix program during treatment

What material is a dental dam made of?

The basic composition of the dental dam consists of at least three components. The most important component is the elastic, square fitted sheet, which in most cases is made of natural latex. Once applied, this forms the barrier between the treatment area and the rest of the oral cavity. A dental dam also requires a narrow metal frame to hold it in place. Depending on the shape of the patient's teeth, different Braces are used so that the sheet remains securely in place for the entire duration of the treatment.

When is a dental dam needed?

A dental dam is primarily required when the oral cavity and thus the rest of the organism should be shielded from the treatment area. This measure protects the patient from, for example, toxic fillings or gases being absorbed by the body. The treatments for which a dental dam is usually useful include in particular

Ceramic and resin fillings
Root canal treatments
Smile Makeover
Tooth bleaching
Amalgam removal
Cleaning inflamed root canals
General infection prophylaxis and protection

How does treatment with a dental dam work?

As we want to be absolutely sure that the dental dam is optimally attached to the patient's teeth for every dental dam treatment, we check in advance at our dental practice in Zurich which brace is suitable for each individual case. As the shape of teeth can vary greatly from person to person, we have a large selection of suitable Braces. We then prepare the mouth for the placement of the dental dam by stretching the thin membrane over a metal frame and punching out the required number of holes. The position and size of the holes is based on the individual tooth position. The membrane can then be placed over the tooth to be treated.

To enable us to apply the dental dam carefully, the patient briefly opens their mouth wide to apply the dental dam. The sheet can then be placed over the treatment area and the rest of the mouth secured. After exact positioning, the sheet is fixed in place with a narrow metal frame and the required Braces. The dental dam then holds itself in place in front of the mouth and the dentist can start the treatment undisturbed and precisely without any drilling water or hazardous materials entering the patients mouth. Of course, the space in front of the nose is left free so that the patient can breathe without restriction despite the dental dam. Many patients like dental dam because it provides a stress free dental treatment.

Thanks to the dental dam, liquids no longer flow unpleasantly down the throat during treatment, but collect in the sheet and can be easily suctioned out. After successful dental treatment, the dental dam is carefully removed by us. Many patients find the dental dam very comfortable as protection and even fall asleep during dental treatment.

Memberships