rubber dam

dam (dam)

1. a barrier to obstruct the flow of fluid.

2. a thin sheet of latex used in surgical procedures to separate certain tissues or structures.

3. rubber d.

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rubber dam  a thin sheet of latex rubber used to isolate teeth from mouth fluids during dental therapy.

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rubber dam

Etymology: ME, rubben, to scrape; AS, demman, to dam up

a thin sheet of latex rubber used to isolate one or more teeth during a dental procedure. See also dam.

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rubber dam,

n See dam, rubber.

rubber dam clamp,

n See clamp, rubber dam.

rubber dam clamp forceps,

n an instrument used to place a clamp on a tooth, adjust a clamp, or remove it from a tooth. It engages the holes or notches of the flanges of the clamp.

rubber dam holder,

n in endodontics, a rubber dam frame holder; in operative dentistry, a rubber dam frame.

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rubber dam

Dental dam A sheet of latex rubber punctuated with holes that is stretched around the teeth during dental procedures to isolate the operative field from the oropharynx, and respiratory tract, and prevent pulmonary aspiration of fragments of teeth and amalgam