Isolamento absoluto: aspectos biomecânicos e características físicas de lençóis de borracha

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of dental dam sheets used for absolute isolation and to correlate the mechanical parameters with cost. Methods and materials: Twenty-one dental dam sheets were tested: All Prime; Madeitex; Sanctuary non-latex, Sanctuary latex black, green, and blue; Nic Tone blue and black; Mk Life; Elastidam; Bassi; Pribanic; Care; OK; MDC Dental; Keystone; Dura Dam; Flexidam; Sanctuary blue; Nic Tone blue; Ehros; and USE. The thicknesses of the dental dam sheets were measured using a digital micrometer (Mitutoyo). Dental dam sheets (n = 15) were prepared by cutting the samples following the ISO 9001 standard, with dimensions of 80 mm × 10 mm and a 1.7 mm hole made at the center of each specimen. The specimens were tested using a universal testing machine (Emic) at a speed of 500 mm/min until rupture to calculate their thickness (mm), rupture force (RF, N), elongation (%), and ultimate tensile strength (UTS, MPa) scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses were performed. The radiopacity was measured using digital radiography. Thickness, UTS, RF, and elongation data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Results: Flexidam dental dam had the thickest (0.5 mm), while Nic Tone had a medium thickness of 0.3 mm; the RF value (41.3 N) was also higher for thick dental dams. The other samples had RF values ranging from 19 to 30 N. The highest elongation was obtained for the non-latex Sanctuary dental dam (600 mm). The Bassi dental dam had the highest UTS value (15 MPa), and medium and small particles were observed in most of the gums. A loss of continuity was detected in the structure of Sanctuary green and blue media. The predominant elements in the sheets were carbon, magnesium, sulfur, silicon, and calcium. Conclusions: The mechanical properties demonstrated by the UTS, RF, and elongation varied substantially, indicating a lack of standardization of dental dam sheets. Most of the dental dams studied have mechanical and physical properties suitable for clinical use. The correlation coefficient between the cost and mechanical properties was very low.