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A rubber dam is a sheet of latex rubber which is
placed over teeth during treatment to isolate them from the rest of the mouth. It is
an extremely useful way to keep the area of work clean and safe, and also prevents
the patient from inhaling or swallowing instruments which may be dangerous. During
the removal of old amalgam fillings, it may be used to reduce the amount of metal
swallowed, and therefore the contamination to the patient. The dam is held in place
usually by a little clamp around the tooth or teeth, as well as dental floss, and is
removed after treatment.
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