Medical
Case Study 2
Latex Rubber Dam

Precision Dippings’ partnership with a global manufacturer of premium dental consumables, resulted in the design and production of a new 3-dimensional latex rubber dam for restorative dentistry treatment.

The rubber dam, which has an anatomical frame to match the contours of the mouth, has been developed in two versions – anterior and posterior – to widen the accessible oral area for the dentist.

We worked closely with the company’s R&D team to develop these products, which can be batch produced using production tooling and a high quality, pure natural rubber latex compound.

In use, this innovative rubber dam offers several advantages to both patient and dentist, including:

• Non-contamination and infection control, from saliva, blood and other debris
• Patient protection from accidental aspiration or ingestion
• Much less preparatory work than with conventional dental dams
• Greater access to the operating and working area
• Patient comfort

The rubber dam development process, from prototype to production:

• Detailed drawing received from medical device manufacturer
• Moulds designed to produce the product
• SLA prototype master created from CAD data
• Prototype castings arranged from SLA master
• Prototype products produced for initial customer testing and approval
• Clinical trials were held
• Progression to Production to Levels

• Detailed product specification was agreed
• Manufacturing process was designed and documented in detail
• Batch records were designed, in consultation with the customer, to keep detailed records of each stage of the process
• Batch Release reports were designed to include agreed criteria for final inspection
• Production moulds purchased
• Early phase production commenced
• Progression to production levels of 20,000 units per week
• Product subject to in-process and final inspection
• Product packaged and dispatched with Certificate of Conformity
• Customer Service / Communication

• Partnership approach throughout development of product
• Regular meetings and communication during weekly production