The Effects of Rubber Dam Clamps on Zirconia Crown Restorations
Haley D. Kessler, DDS1*, Albert F. McMullen III DDS, FACD2, Hunter Kortum B.S3, Edwin Kee MCDT4, Thomas Lallier PhD5
1Department of Endodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
2Department Head and Postgraduate Director, Endodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
3Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
4Professor, Prosthodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
5Professor, Cell Biology and Anatomy Coordinator for Student Research, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
*Corresponding Author: Haley D. Kessler, DDS, Department of Endodontics, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA. https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2025.06.020
Received: June 16, 2025
Published: July 08, 2025
Citation: Kessler HD, McMullen III AF, Kortum H, Kee E, Lallier T. The Effects of Rubber Dam Clamps on Zirconia Crown Restorations. SVOA Dentistry 2025, 6:4, 122-125. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2025.06.020
Abstract
Rubber dam isolation is crucial in providing sterility and a controlled environment when performing root canal therapy. Rubber dam clamps have been controversial due to their rigidity and composition, which is thought to cause damage to zirconia full coverage crowns. This study evaluated three types of zirconia crowns anterior 5Y, premolar 4Y, and molar 3Y to assess their resistance to damage from rubber dam clamps. Of the 30 total zirconia crowns that were tested for damage following the usage of rubber dam clamps, no fractures or chips were observed. There was no significant difference between the negative control group, and the experimental groups, showing that the post-test zirconia crowns demonstrated no measurable damage when examined under an endodontic microscope. The findings of this study suggest that rubber dam clamps pose no threat to the integrity of zirconia full coverage restorations, but more studies should be done in the future to determine the long-term prognosis of these crowns after repeated rubber dam clamp usage as well as to determine any change in chemical structure of these crowns after rubber dam clamp use.
Keywords: Zirconia Crowns; Rubber Dam Clamps; Restorative Integrity; Endodontic Isolation
