The effect of rubber dam placement on the arterial oxygen saturation in dental patients

This study assessed the effect of rubber dam placement on arterial blood oxygen saturation in dental patients; it also determined whether the effects are technique sensitive. The study group consisted of 28 ASA Class I patients who were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Group A--rubber dam isolation of the maxilla (from tooth #14 to #6) and Group B-rubber dam isolation of the mandible (from tooth #19 to #27). A pulse oximeter was used to detect arterial blood oxygen saturation in both groups. Each patient's oxygen saturation (Sp02) was recorded every 30 seconds for two minutes to establish a baseline. Group A subjects received local infiltration in the vestibule above tooth #14, while Group B subjects received an inferior alveolar nerve block using 1.8 ml of 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epiphrine, respectively. During the subsequent five minutes, the patient's Sp02 was recorded every 30 seconds. A rubber dam was then placed, which extended to the anterior septal angle (which completely covers the nose). This rubber dam remained in place for 20 minutes, with the patient's Sp02 being recorded every 30 seconds. The rubber dam was then altered (cut) to expose the nasal passages, creating what is known as proper rubber dam isolation, and the Sp02 was recorded every 30 seconds for 20 minutes. In both groups, there was no significant change in arterial oxygen saturation before or after rubber dam isolation was performed. Also, there was no significant difference in Sp02 when comparing the rubber dam isolation technique. Although rubber dam placement has no effect on blood oxygen levels in healthy patients, its effects on unhealthy patients are unknown.