dental dam?

welshdent

At the risk of annoying the OP - I am mostly an endodontist these days. That is to say I do mostly root canal treatments all day long. No rubber dam = no treatment for me. I have never done one without and only had a literal handful of people actively not like the experience. Even then they managed. 
If I am to operate safely, efficiently and to give the best chance of success then I must be able to use the equipment I see fit. Of course you as a patient have a right to decline said treatment but within reason you can not dictate HOW I do the procedure. Thats irrespective of covid whereby it is almost essential. IF not dam then an isovac device. 

IF you were having a knee replacement would you tell the surgeon then can not use a hammer?
The dam is not left inside you. It is a rubber sheet that isolates the tooth and protects the airway. Nothing more nothing less. 
For root canal treatment it prevents saliva leakage to the tooth and stops bleach getting in your mouth. For fillings it keeps the cavity free of saliva to ensure it is a clean surface to bond filling materials to. Basically enhancing the quality of treatment. 

Gers

welshdent said:

At the risk of annoying the OP - I am mostly an endodontist these days. That is to say I do mostly root canal treatments all day long. No rubber dam = no treatment for me. I have never done one without and only had a literal handful of people actively not like the experience. Even then they managed. 
If I am to operate safely, efficiently and to give the best chance of success then I must be able to use the equipment I see fit. Of course you as a patient have a right to decline said treatment but within reason you can not dictate HOW I do the procedure. Thats irrespective of covid whereby it is almost essential. IF not dam then an isovac device. 

IF you were having a knee replacement would you tell the surgeon then can not use a hammer?
The dam is not left inside you. It is a rubber sheet that isolates the tooth and protects the airway. Nothing more nothing less. 
For root canal treatment it prevents saliva leakage to the tooth and stops bleach getting in your mouth. For fillings it keeps the cavity free of saliva to ensure it is a clean surface to bond filling materials to. Basically enhancing the quality of treatment. 

I had root canal treatment yesterday- first time in over twenty years - and found it much more comfortable and much less difficult than previously. As the canal was being flushed out all the fluid was kept away from the rest of my mouth so I didn't have the feeling of being overwhelmed with water I couldn't swallow. 

Bottom line is that right now dental professionals have to work with the most stringent rules, not by choice, these rules are imposed on them to protect themselves. No argument. 

Any special needs patient can access support to ease their anxiety, absolutely no need for dramatics and rudeness.