Clinical studies on the effectiveness of absolute isolation for composite resin restorations

Abstract

Rubber dam isolation is a technique widely used in restorative dentistry to provide a contamination-free operating field, thereby enhancing the adhesion of restorative materials and the quality of clinical procedures. This study aimed to analyze, through a literature review, the effectiveness of rubber dam isolation in composite resin restorations. The research was conducted by analyzing scientific articles and books obtained from the PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases, covering publications in Portuguese and English between 2002 and 2025. The analyzed studies revealed that rubber dam isolation contributes to moisture control, reduces contamination by saliva and blood, improves visibility of the operating field, and enhances safety during restorative procedures. Furthermore, by promoting the adhesion of restorative systems, it reduces the incidence of clinical failures and increases treatment predictability. Although some studies did not identify significant differences in restoration longevity when compared to relative isolation, the evidence indicates that this technique offers superior conditions for performing adhesive procedures. It is concluded that rubber dam isolation is a crucial resource for the clinical success of composite resin restorations, contributing to the quality, safety, and predictability of restorative treatments.