Rubber dam frames with improved retraction, stability, and safety characteristics

A rubber dam frame comprising:

• a. left and right 180 degree semi-circular side elements;
• b. left and right upper flat transverse horizontal elements;
• c. a downwardly curved semi-circular nasal deflection element;
• d. a lower flat transverse horizontal element;
• e. at least three outwardly facing rubber dam attachment nibs on each of the side semi-circular elements, two positioned at the junction of the semi-circular elements with the flat transverse elements, and one positioned at the midpoint of the semi-circular nasal deflection element;
• f. at least one outwardly facing rubber dam attachment nib on each of the left and right upper flat horizontal elements at their junction with the semi-circular nasal deflection element;
• g. at least two outwardly facing rubber dam attachment nibs on the lower flat transverse horizontal element;
• and
• h. at least one inwardly facing rubber dam attachment nib on the nasal deflection element.

A rubber dam frame comprising:

• a. a circular frame element;
• b. a concave nasal deflection element located symmetrically at the top of the circular frame element;
• c. a plurality of outwardly projected rubber dam attachment nibs located symmetrically about the periphery of the circular frame other than on the nasal deflection element;
• and
• d. an inwardly projected rubber dam attachment nib located centrally of the concave nasal deflection element.

A rubber dam frame comprising:

• a. two vertical side leg members;
• b. a lower horizontal transverse member;
• c. an uninterrupted upper horizontal transverse member;
• d. at least one outwardly directed attachment nib located on each of the vertical side leg members;
• e. at least one outwardly directed attachment nib located on each of the four rounded corners of the frame;
• f. at least two outwardly directed attachment nibs located on the lower horizontal transverse member;
• g. at least two outwardly directed attachment nibs located on the upper horizontal transverse member;
• and
• h. at least one inwardly directed attachment nib on the upper horizontal transverse member, whereby folding excess rubber dam material onto the at least one inwardly directed attachment nib deflects excess rubber dam material downwardly to prevent obstruction of a patient's nostrils.