Have you ever wondered what the special square shaped sheet that covers your tooth during dental treatment is for? It’s called a dental dam and is used to isolate the tooth during root canal treatment and other non surgical dental procedures. According to the AAE (American Association of Endodontics), when an Endodontist uses a dental dam to isolate the root canal tooth it is considered the standard of care. The AAE also states that dental dams are a necessary and important part of the endodontic treatment.
Dr. Scott A. Norton (Endodontist in Louisville, KY) always uses a rubber dam when performing a root canal. Dr. Norton likes to refer to the square shaped material as a rain coat for your tooth. It adds an extra layer of protection for your tooth and your mouth. One of the main goals of endodontic treatment is to disinfect the root canals of your tooth. The dental dam isolates your root canal tooth keeping your tongue out of the way as well as saliva and other debris. Not only does the dental dam minimize the risk of contamination, Dr. Norton feels that it also aids in visualization of the operating field and prevents ingestion of various dental materials. Please follow this link to read more from the AAE about dental dams. http://www.aae.org/uploadedfiles/publications_and_research/guidelines_and_position_statements/dentaldamstatement.pdf
When you visit Dr. Scott Norton for a root canal, you can sit back and relax knowing that the use of a dental dam is an essential step in the treatment of your tooth. Dr Norton will take every measure to perform the highest standard of care.