
What is the history of the dental dam?
Dr Sanford C. Barnum was the original designer of the dental dam as a way to keep the operation site clear from saliva. It was in 1882 that Dr S. S. White improved the design further by adjusting the hole punched into the sheet.
What is the history of the Tiger dam?
The inflatable flexible membrane dams (IFMD, rubber dams, tiger dam) were developed in the 1950s by Norman M. Imbertson of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and were originally called Fabridams. They are installed in stream and river beds, generally being bolted into a concrete foundation.
What is a rubber dam used for in dentistry?
In dentistry, use of a rubber dam is sometimes referred to as isolation or moisture control. Dental dams are also used for safer oral sex. Rubber dam isolation of upper left second premolar, held in place with a rubber dam clamp during endodontic therapy.
What is the purpose of a rubber dam frame?
The purpose of the rubber dam frame, is to keep the dam sheet taut around target areas; this will ensure that a clinician can work effectively on the tooth without the dam sheet obstructing vision and becoming entangled in dental instruments during the procedure. There are several types of dental dam frames which have an array of purposes.

Who invented dental dam?
Sanford Barnum invented the rubber dental dam in 1864 to isolate individual teeth from saliva during dental surgery. For more than a century, the product's use seems to have been limited to dental operations.
Who introduced rubber dam in dentistry?
Dr. Sanford C. Barnum and the invention of the rubber dam. Gen Dent 1982; 30: 320-322.
Who invented tiger dams?
Norman M. ImbertsonThe inflatable flexible membrane dams (IFMD, rubber dams, tiger dam) were developed in the 1950s by Norman M. Imbertson of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and were originally called fabridams.
What is a rubber dam used for?
What Are Rubber Dams? A rubber dam — also known as a dental dam — is a thin square sheet used to isolate the operative site from the rest of the mouth. Dental rubber dams contain a hole in the middle that allows the dentist to isolate the treatment area using a dental clamp around the tooth.
Which is the first rubber dam in India?
Q1) Where is the first Rubber Dam of India located? Ans- The Jhanjhavathi Rubber Dam is located at Rajyalakshmipuram village in a northern coastal district of Andhra Pradesh- Vizianagaram; across the River Jhanjhavathi.
Why is it called dental dam?
The name comes from its original use. Some dentists use a thicker version to keep their patients' teeth dry and germ-free during dental procedures. You can buy dental dams in many of the same places you get condoms, like drugstores and online. Sexual health clinics may offer them for free.
What is rubber dam in river?
Rubber dams are weir systems in which an elongated rubber body is firmly connected to the foundation of the weir system. The rubber body can be filled with water or air, depending on the design. The height and thus the overflow of the weir can be determined by filling and draining the weir.
Which is a flexible dam?
Rubber dams are flexible hydraulic structures.
How much does Tiger dam cost?
At a Wednesday press conference, Perkins said the city was about 85% percent finished with the project, which will install Tiger Dams across more than 350 properties at a cost of $3.5 million in the far eastside neighborhood that borders Grosse Pointe Park.
Can you breathe with a rubber dam?
Abstract. Objectives: Rubber dams increase the quality and safety of dental treatment. However, the condition of a rubber dam over an open mouth may also obstruct the route for respiration.
What is the rubber dam made of?
latexA dental dam or rubber dam is a thin, 6-inch (150 mm) square sheet, usually latex or nitrile, used in dentistry to isolate the operative site (one or more teeth) from the rest of the mouth. Sometimes termed "Kofferdam" (from German), it was designed in the United States in 1864 by Sanford Christie Barnum.
Is rubber dam necessary?
In dentistry, as in general surgery, isolation of the operative field is imperative, even for a simple filling. Even more so than in restorative dentistry, the rubber dam is obligatory in Endodontics,5 so much so that Endodontics should not be performed without a dam.
What is rubber dam in dentist?
A dental dam (also known as a rubber dam) is a protective sheet with a hole in it. It is placed over the treatment area to isolate it and help prevent the spread of bacteria during procedures. Dental dams are typically made of latex but other materials can be used if the patient is allergic to latex.
Why do dentists use a dam?
The main benefit of the rubber dam is to create a bacteria-free and dry treatment area by keeping away any saliva or blood from the rest of the mouth. Blood or saliva getting into the area of treatment may affect the success of the treatment.
What is a rubber dam for root canal?
A rubber dam (also referred to as a “dental dam”) is a sheet of latex that the tooth being treated sticks through. (In most applications, the dam is held in position on its tooth via the use of a metal “rubber dam clamp.” See picture.)
Why is dental dam used?
A dental dam helps prevent the spread of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). If a guy is receiving oral sex, he should wear a condom to prevent the spread of STDs. You can buy dental dams online and at some drugstores. Some sexual health clinics have them available for free.
Why use a rubber dam?
Using a rubber dam for dental procedures can provide multiple advantages. A rubber dam can provide a clean and dry operating field away from substances such as saliva and blood. This is important for dental procedures as the bonding ability of adhesives and cements is heightened in a clean and dry field away from possible contamination, in order for maximum adhesive strength between the restorative materials, dentin and enamel. If the environment is contaminated leading to poor bonding of the materials, the success and longevity of the restoration is shortened.
Who designed the dental dam?
Dr Sanford C. Barnum was the original designer of the dental dam as a way to keep the operation site clear from saliva. It was in 1882 that Dr S. S. White improved the design further by adjusting the hole punched into the sheet.
How does a dental dam work?
The dental dam is anchored around the crown of the tooth using a metal clamp to seal and secure the rubber dam sheet to the tooth or teeth that are receiving treatment during the dental procedure. The clamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes which suit the anatomy of the different teeth in the mouth.
How to use dental dam?
The technique used to apply the dental dam is selected according to the tooth requiring treatment. Several techniques can be used including single to oth isolation, multiple tooth isolation or split dam technique. The dental dam is prepared by punching one or more holes in the dental dam sheet to enable isolation of the appropriate number of teeth required for the dental procedure. The dental dam is then applied to the tooth, anchored into place using a metal or flexible plastic clamp ( chosen according to the tooth and area it will be applied to). The clamp will ideally fit snugly around the tooth along the margin of the gingiva, stabilising the dental dam and preventing contamination of the working area due to saliva ingress. Individuals may experience subjective discomfort due to the tight sensation of the dam clamp, therefore topical anaesthetic (liquid or gel) may be applied to the gingiva at the operators discretion prior to applying the dental dam.
What is a dental dam?
A thin, rectangular sheet used in dentistry to isolate the operative site. Dental dam. A dental dam or rubber dam is a thin, 6-inch (150 mm) square sheet, usually latex or nitrile, used in dentistry to isolate the operative site (one or more teeth) from the rest of the mouth. Sometimes termed "Kofferdam" (from German ), ...
Why use a dam punch?
The dam punch is a tool used to perforate holes of various sizes into the dental dam sheet.
Why do dentists put dams over mouths?
The dental dam is placed over the mouth, effectively blocking off the airway, which means the patient must be able to comfortably breathe through their nose. This is a problem for patients with nasal airway obstruction such as the common cold, a broken nose, adenoids, recurring sinus issues, or those who habitually breathe through their mouths. Patients can also find that communication is reduced between the dental practitioner and themselves, which may result in feelings of claustrophobia, vulnerability, and anxiety. Those prone to dental phobia and individuals who have learning difficulties, disabilities or special needs may find the use of dental dams impossible and intolerable.
Who built the dams in the 5th century?
In the 5 th century AD, the Sinhalese built several dams to form reservoirs to catch the monsoon rains for their intricate irrigation system, and many of these reservoirs are still in use today. Around the 12 th century AD, about 4,000 dams were built by an egotistical Sinhalese ruler, King Parakrama Babu.
Where was the first dam built?
Located in modern-day Jordan, the Jawa Dam was originally constructed around 3,000 BCE in what was then Mesopotamia. Surprisingly, the Jawa Dam was actually an architectural feat ...
What were the Roman dams?
The Romans, highly regarded for their advances in hydraulic engineering, were prolific in dam construction during the height of the empire. In addition to the vast network of aqueducts, the Romans built a plethora of gravity dams, most notably the Subiaco Dams, which were constructed around 60 AD to create a pleasure lake for Emperor Nero. The Subiaco Dams were a series of three gravity dams on the Aniene River in Subiaco, Italy, the largest of which stood 165 feet tall and held the honor of being the tallest dam in the world until its destruction in 1305, historically attributed to two careless monks. The Romans also constructed the world’s first arch dam in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis, now modern-day southwest France, in the 1 st century BCE. The remains of the Glanum Dam, the first recorded true arch dam in history, were discovered in 1763. Unfortunately, a modern arched gravity dam replaced the ancient structure in 1891, and all remnants of the Glanum Dam were lost. The Romans were also responsible for constructing the world’s first buttress dams, although they tended to fail due to their too-thin construction. One third of all dams on the Iberian Peninsula were buttress dams.
What is the name of the Roman dam that supplies water to the people of Meriden?
One third of all dams on the Iberian Peninsula were buttress dams. The Cornalvo Dam , a Roman gravity dam in built in the 1st or 2nd century AD, still supplies water to the people of Meriden, Spain. Asian cultures also contributed to dam engineering.
Why was Jawa Dam reinforced?
While most ancient dams were simple gravity dams constructed of gravel and masonry, the Jawa Dam was reinforced with rock fill behind the upstream wall in order to protect the wall from water pressure breach. This safety feature was incredibly innovative for this time period.
How tall was the Jawa Dam?
In its prime, the Jawa Dam was 15 feet tall, 80 feet long, with a base of 15 feet . It created the Jawa Reservoir that had a capacity of 1.1 million cubic feet. Ancient Dams. Remains of the poorly designed Sadd el-Kafara. Subsequent ancient dams were built by several cultures with varying rates of success.
How many dams are there in the world?
Dams are constructed for many purposes, including reservoir creation, flood prevention, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. Today, there are almost 50,000 large dams in use worldwide. The United States has the second largest number of dams in the world at 5,500, and China has the most with a whopping 19,000. The United States has 50 major dams – the most in the world. But before we had the Hoover Dam or any of the other major dams of today, our ancestors had to learn about dam engineering, and some of that was done through trial and error.
What is rubber dam?
In Figure 7a an orthodontic separating ligature (elastic) is passed over the tooth on a pair of rubber dam clamp forceps after placement of a sheet of dam; this has the effect of holding the dam in place.
When placing rubber dam over multiple lower incisors, do you put a marker on the target tooth?
When placing rubber dam over multiple lower incisors I usually place a marker pen ‘dot’ on the target tooth, thus assuring that the correct tooth is worked on ( Fig. 10 ).
How to keep a dam clamp in place?
8a ). Take a small piece of impression compound, warm it in hot water and place it distal to the tooth over the clamp bow ( Fig. 8b ), cool the impression compound with air and when it hardens it will retain the clamp in the desired position.
Can a split dam be placed over adjacent teeth?
This can present with a real isolation challenge. Often split dam is the answer. Dam is simply placed over the adjoining teeth; this will often leave an unwanted ‘flap’ of dam over the buccal margin of the tooth, inhibiting access and preventing proper isolation ( Fig. 3b ).
Can you handle rubber dams with protective gloves?
Interestingly it seems easier to handle rubber dam when wearing protective gloves; I am not sure this might be the only advantage of protective gloves! Before the dam is passed to the operator some lubricant is placed on the internal surface of the dam. In my situation we use a baby moisturising cream.
Do dentists use rubber dams?
However, to the majority of UK dentists out there who do not use rubber dam, the procedure seems difficult, unnecessary and intrusive.
Is there a wrong way to put a rubber dam?
There is no ‘wrong way’ of placing rubber dam; if it works for you and your dentist, your way is great! The following examples are clinical scenarios that work for me, bearing in mind I am an endodontist.
Why was the dental dam used?
The dental dam was deployed as an object for sexual use in an attempt to abate the risk of HIV transmission, but its questionable efficacy as a barrier against the virus has reduced it, for some at least, to a latex relic of historical fears.
Why was the dental dam so difficult to use?
The dental dam was ‘difficult to use’ and untested, in part because it was a re-purposed Victorian technology only adapted for sexual purposes to meet the challenges of the AIDS crisis. The condom, in contrast, was, as one Health Education Council advert argued, a fairly reliable and easy to use old technology which had undergone development over the years. Indeed, as one Durex poster suggested, you just ‘slip’ them on – though the fine print did warn that users should read the instructions…
What is a dental dam?
The dental dam was a repurposed rubber barrier probably in use since around 1864. It was originally used to protect dentists/patients from contamination during dental surgery and to isolate the tooth being drilled.
Do you rinse dental dams off first?
They weren’t as user-friendly as the ‘slip it on’ condom: When you use dental dams, make sure to rinse them off first. They come sprinkled with talc, which can be irritating and dangerous to delicate body parts. It may be hard to keep track of which side has mouth juice and which side has vagina/ass juice.
Is the dam good for STIs?
Indeed, the website for the sexual health charity for young people, Brook, currently states: ‘The dam might be useful for prevent ing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but there is currently no research to verify this’ [my emphasis].
Can you use a dental dam every time you have sex?
The US Centers for Disease Control website states: ‘use a new latex or polyurethane dental dam every time you have oral sex’. The site explains how a dental dam works, and then goes on to tell readers how to make their own dam using a spatchcocked condom…
