Comparison of Functional Outcomes of Two Different Rubber Dam Systems in Dental Practices

Abstract

<p><strong>Background and Objective:</strong> The rubber dam is the only method that can ensure complete isolation during dental procedures. During endodontic and restorative procedures, it improves patient protection, treatment efficacy, and infection control. A novel rubber dam system called Optradam has introduced a remarkably comfortable, user-friendly clamp-free technique. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare conventional rubber and OptraDam®Plus (Ivoclar Vivadent) based on patients’ and dentist preferences.</p>
 <p><strong>Methods: </strong>After receiving ethics board clearance, this trial was carried out at the Department of Operative Dentistry at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad from June to December 2022. A total of 30 participants were assigned to each group; conventional rubber dam (Group-1) and OptraDam®Plus (Group-2). Two questionnaires were designed and validated one to be completed by dental practitioners and the other by patients. The gathered information was analyzed using statistical tests of significance.</p>
 <p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 60 patients were treated; 31 (52%) males and 29 (28%) females with a mean age of 32.35 years (SD = 4.59). Both the dentists (80% ) and the patients (73.3%) favored the conventional rubber dam system (Group-1). Concerning patient comfort, the conventional rubber dam (96.7%) was considered more comfortable than the OptraDam®Plus (Group-2) (86.7%). More effective moisture management was seen in Group-1 patients (90%). Other factors, such as time, convenience of application, and imaging radiography, had statistically insignificant results among both groups.</p>
 <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The results indicate that both patients as well as operators, preferred the use of conventional rubber dams over OptraDam®Plus during an endodontic and restorative procedure.</p>