Dental Rubber Dam as a Barrier Membrane in the Treatment of Infrabony Defects

Background: The ideal goal of periodontal therapy has been the regeneration of the periodontium, resulting in the complete restoration of lost periodontal tissues. This study was taken up so as to evaluate the effi cacy the Dental Rubber Dam as a barrier membrane in the treatment of infrabony defects. Methods: Fifteen patients who were diagnosed to have mild to moderate periodontitis having at least one angular defect was taken up for the study. After the routine basic periodontal therapy these sites were treated with dental rubber dam as a barrier in accordance with the principle of guided tissue regeneration. All membranes were removed after 4 weeks of membrane placement. Results: The results showed a signifi cant improvement in all clinical parameters including reduction in periodontal probing depth and gain in clinical attachment level after six-nine months post-operatively. Radiographic measurements also showed a mean reduction in osseous defect depth of 0.94 mm. The sites however, showed an increase in gingival recession amounting to a mean of 1.46 mm. Conclusion: It can be concluded that dental Rubber dam is a barrier membrane with great potential in treatment of periodontal osseous defects provided the limitations brought to light in this study are addressed in the future. At present it can only be recommended for the treatment of osseous defects in the posterior teeth aesthetics is not a prime concern.