Chapter 5. Alternative ways of isolating the working field

Learning objective

• Consideration of relative and absolute methods of isolation of the working field.
• Formation of professional skills of isolation of the working field with the help of alternative isolation dental systems.

Control questions

1. Relative isolation methods.
2. Characterization of Dry Tips, OptraGate, aspiration systems.
3. Absolute isolation methods.
4. OptraDam isolation system and its overlay algorithm.
5. OptiDam isolation system and its overlay algorithm.

Lesson content

The use of a rubber dam system greatly facilitates dental treatment and increases its efficiency. The installation of the rubber dam system should not take more than 3–5 minutes. If circumstances do not permit the installation of a rubber dam system, alternative methods of isolation should be considered.

There are 2 methods of isolation: relative and absolute, the names of which reflect the degree of waterproofing of the working field.

Relative method involves the use of cotton rolls, retraction threads, various aspiration devices, retraction instruments, etc. Absolute — application of the rubber dam or optidam system (OptiDam).