Comparing the best dental dams in the market
| Product Name | Material | Size (inches) | Qnt | Thickness | Odor & Powder free | Scents | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coltene HYGENIC® Dental Dam Standard Size | Natural rubber | 6 x 6 | 36 | Thin-Heavy | Yes | Unscented | 4.6/4.4 |
| Cranberry USA Carbon Latex Dental Dam | Latex | 6 x 6 | 36 | Medium | Yes | None | NA |
| Coltene HYGENIC® Fiesta® Dental Dam | Natural rubber | 5 x 5 or 6 x 6 | 36 | Various | Yes | Fruit | 5/NA |
| Cranberry USA SmartDam Non-Latex Dental Dam | Non-Latex | 5 x 5 or 6 x 6 | Up to 52 | Various | Yes | Spearmint, Lavender | 3.9/4.5 |
| Coltene Hygenic® Framed Non-Latex Flexi Dam® | Natural rubber | 100 x 105 mm | 15 | NA | Yes | None | 5/NA |
Explanation:
- Material: The table shows that most of the dental dams are made of natural rubber or latex, except for the Cranberry USA SmartDam, which is non-latex.
- Size: The size of the dental dams varies slightly, but the standard size is 6 x 6 inches.
- Quantity per box: The number of sheets per box also varies slightly, with the Coltene Hygenic Framed Non-Latex Flexi Dam having the lowest quantity at 15 sheets per box.
- Thickness: The thickness of the dental dams also varies, with most products offering a range of thicknesses.
- Powder-free: All products listed are powder-free, which reduces the risk of allergic reactions in patients.
- Odor-free: All products listed are also odor-free, which adds to patient comfort during dental procedures.
- Scents: Some dental dams, such as the Coltene Hygenic Fiesta and Cranberry USA SmartDam, come with added fruit or mint scents for patient comfort.
- Ratings: The ratings from Amazon and Net32 vary for each product, but all products have a rating above 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Dental rubber dams help achieve isolation in dental procedures. When performing dental procedures, isolation can create a dry field for better access, which is critical for successful outcomes. Dental dams act as a barrier; when used as part of your work with patients, they should be effective and comfortable. To help narrow your search, you should know some key terms about the products you use.
According to The Hygenic Corporation, a manufacturer of natural and synthetic rubber latex, the terms latex, natural rubber, and latex all have their own unique definitions. While dental dam products use the terms “latex-free,” “non-latex,” and “rubber” interchangeably, Hygenic defines these terms in the following ways:
- Latex – Latex can be described as any polymer in a viscous state, and latex does not have to contain natural rubber latex to be considered latex.
- Natural Rubber Latex – Natural rubber latex refers to a specific form of latex that comes from the white sap from the hevea bransiliensis tree. It appears in a liquid form, making it more moldable.
- Natural Rubber—Dry natural rubber latex that can be transported and stored. Natural rubber differs from natural rubber latex by its processing and compounding cycles. Natural rubber refers to its solid physical properties rather than its makeup and can be used for more precise profiles.
When a dental rubber dam product states that it’s “latex-free,” it’s technically incorrect. All rubber products go through an extrusion process and come from the same tree, and latex does not always have to contain rubber to be considered latex. Because of this, the FDA requires labeling statements on medical devices to avoid misinformation about these terms.
Where does that leave you, especially for patients with latex allergies? Offering both synthetic and natural rubber latex is the best solution. Making this information clear to your patients helps show compassion and build trust with your patients.
We searched through the top-recommended dental catalogs, including Henry Schein, Pearson Dental, and Net32, to give you the best evaluation of these products. The order listed is based on our evaluations of available data, resulting in the following Top 5 Dental Dams.
Top Dental Rubber Dam Products For Dentistry
1. Coltene HYGENIC® Dental Dam Standard Size
Amazon Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Net32 Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Product Description:
The Hygenic Corporation, now known as Coltene, has led the dental industry as a global leader for dental treatment applications. The Hygenic dental dam is their standard issue, made of pure, natural rubber latex, making them hard to tear and easy to place on any dental clamp frame. It’s manufactured using a latex casting technique for uniform thickness and high tolerance. The Hygenic Dental Dam is packaged with cornstarch powder to preserve the elasticity and strength of the latex. The even surface allows you to clasp onto and punch holes in the latex material easily. In contrast, the sturdy material keeps the patient’s mouth open and tongues out of the way during dental procedures.
Being unscented, this dental dam comes in a variety of thicknesses, from thin to heavy, and has a standard size of 6”x 6”. All boxes contain 36 pieces. Purchasers reviewed this product as being highly reliable, stating that it is the perfect balance of strength and thinness.
Net32 Price: $14.75
2. Cranberry USA Carbon Latex Dental Dam
Cranberry USA specializes in developing protective infection control solutions. They manufacture and design standard medical and dental equipment, including gloves, masks, and dental dams, focusing on minimal exposure. They developed First Touch® protocols, packaging their products with zero direct contact exposure. When you open a package of their dental dams, you can be assured that they’re sterile and safe from human skin contact.
The Carbon Latex Dental Dam is their standard issue, made with tear resistance and tensile strength to produce low modulus elasticity. These dental dams are made with 80% less powder and 98% less protein. They have a 950% elongation resistance, preventing patients from developing a protein and latex allergy and preventing accidents during procedures. All Carbon dental dams contain a two-sided matte finish for easy grip, with its dark color providing distinct photography outcomes with no reflection. The Carbon brand comes in latex and non-latex and is of medium gauge thickness. Each box contains 36 sheets, with a size measurement of 6” x 6”.
3. Coltene HYGENIC® Fiesta® Dental Dam Standard Size
Net32 Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars
Description of Product
As an upgraded version of the Hygenic Dental Dam, the Fiesta Dental Dam brings the same benefits. Still, she contains fruit scents and different colors to enhance the patient’s experience and comfort. It is seen as an excellent choice for pediatric dental clinics. It aims to reduce microbial contamination by up to 99% by maintaining a non-contaminated field that’s free of any saliva and blood. These dental dams are made with natural rubber latex, contain no powders, no offensive latex odors, and have recovery properties that focus solely on isolation. With both adult and children sizes, the Fiesta dental dams come in an assortment of colors, range in thickness, and can come in both 5 x 5” and 6 x 6”.
Purchase At Net32: $18.25
4. Cranberry USA SmartDam Non-Latex Dental Dam
Amazon Ratings: 3.9 out of 5 stars
Net32 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Cranberry USA also takes the ideas of Coltene’s Fiesta dental dams. It puts them into effect with their SmartDam, offering high-contrast colors for optimal visual acuity and scents such as spearmint and lavender for patient comfort. The Smart Dam contains all of the essentials that Cranberry’s Carbon Dental Dams, including 98% less latex protein residue, 80% less powder, and a 950% elongation break. Available in both latex and non-latex, the SmartDam contains a two-sided matte finish for easy grip. According to users on Net32, the overall impressions of the product are positive. The SmartDam dental dams are available in various sizes and sheets, including 5”x5” and 6”x6”, with up to 52 sheets per box.
Purchase on Net32: $19.99
5. Coltene Hygenic® Framed Non-Latex Flexi Dam®
Net32 Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Awards: A Editor’s Choice 4 ½ star rating from Dental Advisor
Lastly, Coltene takes on a unique approach to dental procedures by building a frame within their Hygenic Framed FlexiDam dental dams. With a 95% overall rating from Dental Advisor, a dental data and review company, the framed FlexiDam incorporates a highly elastic natural rubber that’s tear-resistant and easy placement. Building the frame within the dental dam, it removes sensitive time from prepping, allowing patients to feel secure and comfortable. The dam material has a workable area of 100 x 105 mm, is powder-free, and is odorless. As an excellent choice for endodontic surgery, the Hygenic Framed Non-Latex Flexi Dam provides quality without the costs and is an excellent addition for smooth dental procedures.
Purchase from Colgate:
Purchase on Net32: $51.95
Table 2: Rubber Dams Comparison
| Product Name | Material | Size (inches) | Quantity per box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coltene HYGENIC® Dental Dam Standard Size | Natural rubber | 6 x 6 | 36 |
| Cranberry USA Carbon Latex Dental Dam | Latex | 6 x 6 | 36 |
| Coltene HYGENIC® Fiesta® Dental Dam | Natural rubber | 5 x 5 or 6 x 6 | 36 |
| Cranberry USA SmartDam Non-Latex Dental Dam | Non-Latex | 5 x 5 or 6 x 6 | Up to 52 |
| Coltene Hygenic® Framed Non-Latex Flexi Dam® | Natural rubber | 100 x 105 mm | 15 |
Table 3: Rubber Dams Comparison (cont.)
| Thickness | Powder-free | Odor-free | Scents | Ratings (Amazon/Net32) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin-Heavy | Yes | Yes | Unscented | 4.6/4.4 |
| Medium | Yes | Yes | None | NA |
| Various | Yes | Yes | Fruit | 5/NA |
| Various | Yes | Yes | Spearmint, Lavender | 3.9/4.5 |
| NA | Yes | Yes | None | 5/NA |
Note: NA = Not available
Explanation:
The two tables divide the information about rubber dams into two categories: basic information about each product in Table 1, and specific features of each product in Table 2.
Table 1 lists the product name, material, size, and quantity per box of each rubber dam. This information provides an overview of the products and allows for easy comparison between them.
Table 2 focuses on the specific features of each product, including thickness, powder-free, odor-free, scents, and ratings from Amazon and Net32. This table allows for a more detailed comparison of the products, which can help dentists choose the best option for their needs.
