Ivoclar Vivadent's OptraDam Plus

The CPS Evaluation Team Members, who combine product  review for the whole dental team and consists of dentists, assistants, hygienists, front desk associates and dental laboratory technicians, reviewed this product.

Description

OptraDam Plus is a natural rubber latex, double ring framed dental dam that generally doesn’t require conventional rubber dam clamps. The metal-free, dual ring frame design allows the dam to be placed intraorally. The inner ring is placed in the vestibule area, while the outer ring fits extraorally against the patient’s face. With redesigned rings, this second version claims to offer more comfort to the patient than the original OptraDam. This ocean blue dam includes a mapping of both arches with printed dots, representing where to punch holes for the teeth, in addition to a cross design to represent quadrants of the mouth. OptraDam Plus can be used for single, multiple or dual arch tooth isolation.

Packaging

OptraDam Plus is individually packaged to prevent cross contamination. Each Intro Kit contains 25 small and 25 regular sizes; refills contain 50 packages of either small or regular size. Most clinicians said they kept six in their patient rooms and the remainder in the supply closet.

Manufacturer’s instructions

The manufacturer’s instructions were very accurate and understandable. Some evaluators had problems with the first attempt at placement, but found using a mirror handle as demonstrated in the video made it easier. Without watching the video, the pinch techniques would have been difficult to describe.

Comfort of the new design

Most evaluators said the change in the ring design and the ability to place a saliva ejector in the center of the dam made it more comfortable than the previous version. Some evaluators said their patients believed felt the OptraDam relieved pressure from the patient’s jaw more so than just holding it open without isolation. During endodontic procedures, taking radiographs seemed difficult and uncomfortable.

Time allowed for placement

The majority of evaluators said placement of the OptraDam took an average of 2 to 4 minutes.

Isolation

Anterior isolation was easier than posterior isolation. Most evaluators used clamps for the posterior teeth, but none of the evaluators needed clamps for the anterior teeth. The Evaluation team said the dam was marked for perfect spacing and formed a perfect seal around each tooth isolated.

CPS Review

The CPS review team said the new revised OptraDam Plus was a true improvement. The dam material was thick enough and presented good tear strength to withstand stretching and pulling. The team was pleasantly surprised by the fact that patients were comfortable without anesthetic while placement occurred. The OptraDam Plus was used for several procedures such as bonding and bleaching. Some reviewers felt this was the dam of choice when using a slit dam technique for placement of restorations. Clamps were needed in the posterior area, but again clamps are needed for other conventional dam placement.

CPS Team gives OptraDam Plus by Ivoclar Vivadent a 4 Diamond rating.