Customized cushion technique for rubber dam isolation

Rubber dam represents the indispensable ‘gold standard of care in isolation’ in endodontic and restorative dentistry. It provides unrivalled isolation and infection control. There have been recent innovations in rubber dam equipment designed to gain better acceptance by the patients. One of these is pre-fabricated dental cushees which help to prevent damage to the gingival tissues. Described below is an innovative way of fabricating customized cushions using a silicone material which may improve patient acceptance to rubber dam use.

Rubber dam isolation has been demonstrated to offer significant benefits in the field of conservative and aesthetic dentistry but its use is very limited, even in developed nations.¹ Patient objections due to tightness of clamps, trauma to gingival tissues, slippage of the clamp, seepage through the margins, are frequent reasons for an inconsistent application. The sharp metallic prongs of the clamps are frequently found impinging on the gingiva or in contact with the root surface, thereby causing pain and discomfort.