title: Influence of the rubber dam on proximal contact strengths.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study tested the hypothesis that the application of a rubber dam influences the reconstruction of proximal contact strengths, while the corresponding contra-lateral teeth are not affected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four systemically and periodontally healthy subjects in need of a direct posterior composite restoration were treated with the use of a rubber dam. The proximal contact strengths (PCS) were electronically evaluated by measuring frictional forces during removal of a 50.0 +/- 5.0 microm-thick straight metal band.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proximal contact strengths significantly increased from 2.26 +/- 1.45N before to 3.83 +/- 2.34N after application of the rubber dam; whereas, the variation of PCS at the corresponding contacts in the contra-lateral quadrant remained within the intra-examiner variance of +/- 0.2N. Upon removal of the rubber dam, there was a statistically significantly drop in PCS from 3.54 +/- 1.87N to 2.31 +/- 1.35N. Again, there was only minimal change in the contra-lateral quadrant. It was concluded that application of the rubber dam affects proximal contact strengths.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Paul Johann
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rau
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pioch
authors.forename: Hans-Jörg
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Staehle
authors.forename: Christof E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dörfer
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016733:Rubber Dams / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; C029012:Composite Dental Resin; D003188:Composite Resins; D011140:Polyurethanes