What are rubber dam forceps?

Dam forceps carry the clamp to the tooth, hold the jaws expanded while it is positioned, and release it in a controlled way. The sliding lock is the working feature — it holds expansion so the clamp can be carried and seated without maintaining hand pressure, then released precisely once the beaks are correctly placed. The three patterns differ in beak shape and in how the handle is held.

How the rubber dam forceps range is organised

Ivory:

The most widely used pattern, and the one most clamps are designed around.

Brewer:

Alternative beak and handle geometry.

Washington:

Alternative beak and handle geometry.

Choosing the right rubber dam forcep

The forceps beaks have to seat in the holes of the clamps you actually use, so check compatibility if your clamps come from more than one range — Ivory is the safest default for that reason. Seat the beaks fully before expanding: a partial engagement is how a clamp gets launched across the operatory.