Mithra N Hegde, Priyadarshini Hegde, and Ashwith Hegde
The concept of using rubber dam to isolate the tooth dates back to almost 150 years. Rubber dam application is considered mandatory in root canal treatment. The Quality Assurance Guidelines of the American Associations of Endodontists says that cleaning, shaping, disinfection and obturation of all canals are accomplished using an aseptic technique with dental dam isolation “whenever possible”. Root canal treatment without rubber dam has a negative impact on the treatment outcome, influences decision of the choice of root canal irrigant and also patient’s safety. This paper emphasizes the application of rubber dam in various difficult clinical situations.