Rubber dam isolation has a significant role in the required aseptic technique to provide predictable, safe, and optimal endodontic results. This simple step is often not performed by some dentists with the complaint that it takes too long to isolate.

In dental school, we learn to use the rubber dam for restorative procedures but at some point after graduation, many develop the bad habit of not using it routinely for all dental procedures. The rubber dam improves visibility, increases patient safety, and is associated with a higher quality restoration and better care for our patients. For endodontic therapy, the use of a rubber dam is standard of care and simply a non-negotiable issue. Products such as Isolite, etc. may provide patient opening and illumination, but they don’t provide the necessary aseptic field for proper success. In this tutorial I demonstrate to simple, efficient methods to isolate a tooth using rubber dam, whether the tooth can not be clamped or if will be worked on around the margins (crown, or deep decay in the interproximal areas of the tooth that requires removal prior to the root canal procedure).