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Rubber dam clamp
Also called: dam clamp, retainer, winged clamp, butterfly clamp
A spring metal clamp that grips a tooth and anchors the rubber dam.
A rubber dam clamp has a bow (the spring part), two jaws that grip the tooth, holes for the forceps, and often wings that hold the dam. Different numbers fit different teeth: for example, an Ivory 26 for small lower molars, an Ivory 14 for partly erupted molars, an Ivory 1 or 2 for upper or lower premolars, and an Ivory 9 for front teeth.
How to spot it
- A curved metal bow joining two jaws; two small holes for the clamp forceps; may have wings.
What it is used for
- Placed on the anchor tooth, with or without the dam already on it.
Safety and care
- Semicritical item (it touches the inside of the mouth): clean it, package it and heat-sterilize it after every patient.
- Many offices tie floss to the bow before placing so the clamp can be retrieved if it slips; follow your office protocol.
Related
Sources: Endodontics lecture 5: The Rubber Dam and Its Applications, Kulzer. Ivory Rubber Dam Clamps overview (clamp selection guide)