Effects of open mouth and rubber dam on upper airway patency and breathing

Abstract

Breathing pattern may become deteriorated by airway obstruction during dental treatments requiring a rubber dam.

Rubber dam application in endodontic practice: an update on critical educational and ethical dilemmas

“…27,28 The main reasons for the negative opinion of GDPs towards RD application are difficult placement, time required for application, occasional patient complaints and cost. 8,10,15,29 In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, other isolation techniques have been undertaken by GDPs during root canal treatment. In addition to cotton rolls and/or gauze, some authors and GDPs claimed that other isolation techniques such as Isolite (Benbrook Dental, USA) are able to enhance visibility, reduce the risk of damage of porcelain surfaces, minimize the risk of perforation and can be useful in young patients with incompletely erupted teeth.…”

Three-dimensional computed tomography analysis of airway volume changes between open and closed jaw positions

“…7,8 It is important to understand what the jaw open position does to the patient's airway so that treatment can be adapted to the patient's needs. Some patients may need more breaks during treatment to keep their oxygen saturation higher.…”

“…It has been reported that head and jaw positions would significantly affect the airway dimensions. 8 However, comparing open jaw position to closed jaw position and its influence on the airway dimensions using 3D CBCT imaging has not been previously studied.…”

“…However, these were done in patients wearing rubber dams or using mouth props for restorative dental procedures. 7,8 The study by Iwatani et al had 20 adult subjects who were imaged with MRI. The second study by Ito et al was done on 13 subjects and using lateral cephalograms, except for one subject where a computed tomograph was taken.…”

Intraoral radiographic diagnosis and management of an aberrant mandibular premolar-a case report

“…Rubber dam isolation was not done in the present case, which might be considered as a major limitation, but adequate care was maintained to prevent contamination of the operating field using cotton rolls and high volume saliva evacuators. Though, rubber dams increase the quality and safety of dental treatments, open mouth position plays the largest role in decreased upper airway patency, and open mouth position with a rubber dam may further disrupt breathing pattern, as stated by Iwatani et al [11]. Since the patient revealed a habit of mouth breathing, in addition to the fact, that there was a discomfort caused due to airway obstruction, rubber dam application was terminated in the current case.…”