Poor isolation / moisture control (bond contamination)
What it is
During adhesive restorative steps (etching, priming, bonding, composite placement), the tooth is not adequately isolated, so saliva, blood, gingival crevicular fluid, or moisture contacts enamel/dentin or the uncured adhesive layer. This contamination compromises the adhesive interface, increasing risk of reduced bond strength, marginal leakage, staining, and post-operative sensitivity or early failure.
Why it happens
• Rubber dam not used (or used incorrectly): clamp leakage, poor inversion, dam tears, not isolating adjacent teeth → persistent moisture. • Deep/subgingival margins (deep Class II boxes, cervical lesions) → sulcular fluid and bleeding are hard to control. • Inadequate retraction/hemostasis: no cord, poor matrix/wedge control, rushing bonding steps. • Contamination at a critical moment: after etching, during primer/bond placement, or before curing.
The full clinical mistake entry includes
- How to avoid it — the prevention protocol
- The clinical tip experienced clinicians use
- The documented reference behind the mistake
More clinical mistakes
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