A rubber dam is a thin, elastic sheet stretched around one or more teeth. The tooth sticks out, the rest of the mouth is covered. This keeps the tooth dry and free of saliva, and you do not taste anything we work with. For root canal treatment, the European professional guidelines expressly call for it.
Updated: 14 November 2026
- It keeps saliva and bacteria away from the tooth.
- It protects your tongue, cheek and throat.
- You breathe normally through your nose.
What it is used for
| Treatment | What the rubber dam does |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment | no bacteria from saliva in the root canals, no rinsing solution in the mouth |
| Composite filling | the bond only holds on a dry tooth |
| Removing old amalgam fillings | particles do not get into the mouth |
In that year, the New York dentist Sanford C. Barnum introduced the rubber dam. The principle is still the same today.
Francis, “The Rubber Dam”, The Dental Cosmos, 1865How it feels
A small clamp holds the sheet on the tooth. You feel slight pressure, and the tooth is already numb by then. You can swallow as usual. If you react to latex, please tell us beforehand.
“Will I get enough air?”
Yes. The sheet lies in front of the mouth, not in the throat, and your nose stays free. And a hand signal is enough for a break.
Would you like to know how a root canal treatment works with us? In a “Consultation & treatment plan” appointment we explain it using your own tooth.
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