Is the rubber dam obligatory during a root canal?

Question

I had root canals done before without rubber dam, and now when it is used it makes me panic as I am a gagger and cannot swallow or close my mouth when necessary. Minutes feel hours when this is used on me and I get panicky. I may need a rootcanal in one of my posterior teeth soon and I cannot imagine using it so far back, help!

Answer 1

Yes, OSHA requires that dental workers use the dam to protect themselves from potentially infectious fluids. Even if you could have a root canal done without one, you'd still have your mouth wide open for at least an hour, so you just have to learn to swallow without closing your mouth.  The assistant should be using suction to remove excess saliva so you don't have to swallow too often.  

Answer 2

the 'potentially infectious fluids' are the same whether u r having root canal work done or not;ie saliva. The real reason is to keep the canals as sterile as possible during the job,as it increases the chance of success.

  For your particular case, either have the gagging treated first(hypnosis, sedation, acupuncture),have it done under G.A (OTT), or have the tooth extracted,since you will have the problem rubber dam or not, and the dentist will no doubt find it a difficult job unless the gagging is fixed.

Answer 3

The rubber dam is mostly for your protection.  Many dentists flush out the root canals with bleach to remove pieces of tissue inside the canal and to disinfect the canal.  The rubber dam keep you from swallowing bleach.

The rubber dam isolates your tooth and keeps saliva out of it during the procedure which would contaminate the canal.

Also, during a root canal, many small instruments are placed inside the canal(s).  For instance the files.  If the dentist accidentally drops a file, the rubber dam keeps it from going down your throat.

If a dentist does not use a rubber dam during a root canal, and something happens, the dentist will not have a leg to stand on because using the rubber dam is absolutely required to do the job right.