Influence of rubber-dam on the reconstruction of proximal contacts with adhesive tooth-colored restorations.

To clinically measure the influence of rubber-dam on the proximal contact strength after its reconstruction with tooth-colored restorations.The frictional forces during the removal of a metal strip from the proximal contact area were taken as measure for the proximal contact strengths of 46 restorations (35 ceramic inlays, 11 direct composite restorations). The teeth were separated with a rubber-dam and wedged thoroughly during the complete reconstruction procedure according to the multiple wedging technique. The proximal contact strengths were measured immediately before and immediately after removing the rubber-dam.The contact strengths were statistically significantly lower immediately after the removal of the rubber-dam (1.07+/-0.82N) compared to the situation with the rubber-dam (1.99+/-1.21N). The amount of the reduction after removing the rubber-dam was statistically significantly higher between the second premolar and the first molar (1.45+/-1.06N) compared to the contacts between the canines and the first premolar (0.32+/-0.44N) and the first and second premolar (0.59+/-0.77N). No influence of the restorative material, the use and localization of retainers, localization of the restoration, or number of teeth under the rubber-dam was detectable.Rubber-dam is recommended for adhesive restorations as it is helpful for achieving good adhesion between the tooth and restorative materials. Nevertheless, the application of rubber-dam seems to be a factor which complicates the reconstruction of adequate proximal contacts.