Effect of Chloroform Exposure on Tensile Properties of Dental Rubber Dams
Manqi Wang PhD, DDS1, Xiaoming Xu PhD2, Amir Nejat DDS, MS, MSD, CDT3, George H. Arch, Jr. DDS, FICD, FICOI1*, Meric Karapinar Kazandag DDS, MSc, PhD1, Albert F. McMullen III, DDS, FACD, DABE1
1Department of Endodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, 1100 Florida Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, USA.
2Department of Oral and Craniofacial Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, 1100 Florida Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, USA.
3Department of Prosthodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, 1100 Florida Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, USA.
*Corresponding Author: George H. Arch, Jr. DDS, FICD, FICOI, Department of Endodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, 1100 Florida Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, USA.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.032
Received: July 15, 2026
Published: August 05, 2026
Citation: Wang M, Xu X, Nejat A, Arch GH Jr, Karapinar Kazandag M, McMullen AF III. Effect of Chloroform Exposure on Tensile Properties of Dental Rubber Dams. SVOA Dentistry 2026, 7:4, 241-247. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.032
Abstract
Aim: This study investigates the effect of chloroform exposure on the tensile strength and elongation of dental rubber dams with the clinical goal of preserving isolation and limiting solvent leakage.
Methods: Sheet specimens of five rubber dams (Brasseler TRUE, Coltene HySolate, Coltene Flexi Dam, Cranberry Carbon, Ultradent DermaDam) were cut into 15×85 mm strips. Each specimen was clamped 35 mm at both ends, leaving a 15 mm gauge. A custom device pre-stretched the gauge from 15 to 30 mm before exposure to chloroform. Treated specimens (n=12) received 20 µL chloroform across the stretched gauge while controls (n=12) received no solvent. Immediately after drying of the solvent, the treated specimens were tested on Instron Universal Test Machine 5566Q4935 using a crosshead speed of 50 mm/min. The outcomes were tensile stress and elongation. Data were analyzed using within-product t-tests (α=0.05) and one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc (α=0.05).
Results: After exposure to chloroform, Brasseler TRUE and Ultradent DermaDam showed no significant reduction in tensile strength (Brasseler p=0.71, Ultradent p=0.26) with increased elongation, and Brasseler TRUE maintained the highest post-treatment mean strength. Coltene HySolate demonstrated a moderate strength reduction (p<0.01) with decreased elongation. Cranberry Carbon and Coltene Flexi Dam showed a significant reduction in tensile strength (p<0.001) with marked decreases in elongation. Conclusion: Brasseler TRUE and Ultradent DermaDam were the most resistant to chloroform exposure with minimal changes in tensile properties. When chloroform use is anticipated, choosing more resistant dams and controlling solvent spread can reduce tearing and isolation failure.
Keywords: Endodontics, Chloroform, Tensile Strength, Rubber Dam
