Comparative evaluation of novel customized cushees during rubber dam isolation using self-designed evaluation criteria: A randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Rubber dam plays essential role in dentistry and various modifications have been done to improve patients acceptance and to eliminate the discomfort caused due to clamps. AIM: Clinical evaluation of efficacy and postoperative outcome of metal clamps with customized cushions and standard metal clamps during rubber dam isolation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional ethical approval and informed consent total 64 patients were randomly assigned in two groups. Group A - rubber dam metal clamp with customized cushees (n = 32), Group B - rubber dam with standard metal clamp (n = 32). After selection of appropriate clamp for Group A, Customized cushions were prepared and restoration was performed. The evaluation was done using self-designed assessment criteria which included postoperative pain, rubber dam slippage, trauma to gingival and adjacent tissues and sealing ability of both the groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square value was calculated with SPSS software version 18.0. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference between postoperative pain, rubber dam slippage, trauma to gingival tissues (P < 0.001) with reduced postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: Cushions have played significant role in reducing postoperative pain, trauma to the gingival tissue and slippage of rubber dam clamp compared to standard metal clamps.