Benefits of Rubber Dam Dentistry
A dental dam is a thin piece of latex or silicone that is placed over the mouth during certain dental procedures. A dental dam isolates the teeth that are being worked on and ensures that the treatment area stays clean and dry. Although dental students are required to use a rubber dam during their licensing examination, statistics suggest that less than 10% of dentists go on to use a dental dam in private practice. Dr. Dennis G. Sternberg makes a conscious effort to use a dental dam when performing restorative dentistry treatments. Rubber dam dentistry makes restorative treatments safer and more efficient. Because of the benefits of rubber dam dentistry, our Freehold, NJ, patients can feel confident knowing that they will be getting superior results from the restorative dentistry treatment provided by Dr. Sternberg.
Dental Dams Allow for Greater Precision
When a dental dam is first placed, it covers the entire mouth. However, once it has been secured, a hole punch is used to create an opening (or openings) in the rubber dam. The openings reveal the tooth or teeth that will be treated. By isolating the teeth in this way, it makes it much easier for Dr. Sternberg to focus on the teeth that are being treated. With such great visibility, Dr. Sternberg is able to precisely treat the teeth and place any needed restorations without the distraction of adjacent teeth or the surrounding soft tissue. Overall, a dental dam allows restorative dentistry work to be finished quickly and with a greater degree of accuracy.
A Dental Dam Creates the Optimal Treatment Site
Saliva and blood are two substances that can interfere with the effectiveness of restorative dental work. First, if the teeth are wet with blood or saliva, it makes it more difficult for a dental restoration to bond to the teeth properly. Secondly, blood and saliva carry bacteria that could potentially lead to an infection of the treatment site, if they were to get into the cavity of the affected tooth. Obviously, saliva is naturally present in the mouth, and the gums are likely to bleed when restorative dental work is being performed. However, a dental dam completely covers adjacent teeth, as well as the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth. With the protection of a dental dam, it is much easier to keep the treatment site clean and dry, so that dental treatments can be performed safely and effectively.
Dental Dams Minimize the Risk of Dental Work
With the skill and experience of Dr. Sternberg, the risk of a complication during restorative dentistry treatment is very low. Still, a dental dam helps to lower that risk even further. One potential risk of restorative dentistry work is an injury to the gums, lips, or other soft tissues of the mouth. When dental work is being performed, the gums, tongue, or lips can get in the way, and an injury may occur. When a dental dam is in place, the lips and tongue are held back, and the soft tissues of the mouth are protected. This virtually eliminates the risk of an oral injury during dental treatment.
Another potential risk of restorative dentistry treatment is the ingestion of foreign particles or exposure to chemicals that may be used throughout treatment. Since a dental dam blocks the mouth, even if an object were to fall during treatment, it would land on the rubber dam, rather than going into the patient’s mouth. With a dental dam in place, dental work is simply safer for the patient.
Contact Us
Dr. Dennis G. Sternberg utilizes rubber dam dentistry because it allows for safer and more precise dental treatment, which is the kind of dental care that patients deserve. If you have questions about rubber dam dentistry, or would like to learn more about how this technique can benefit you, contact us at your earliest convenience.
