RUBBER DAM USAGE RELATED TO RESTORATION QUALITY AND SURVIVAL

The effects of rubber dam or cotton roll isolation on the initial qual ity and later survival of 644 amalgam and 149 anterior enamel-bonded c omposite resin restorations were evaluated over periods of up to 15 an d 10 years, respectively. All restorations were placed by one operator and their quality assessed at the time of finishing, using seven clin ical characteristics. The influence of six other clinical parameters o n the survival of the restorations was also evaluated. There were no c linically-significant differences present in the initial high quality of the restorations, or in their later survivals, which could be direc tly related to the use or otherwise of rubber dam. Overall, the restor ation survivals were excellent. However, there were significantly more amalgam restoration failures, from bulk fracture, in patients with se vere bruxism.