Patent ID: 7331788

Claim:
A method for retaining a dental dam, comprising: positioning a dental dam over and around the teeth in the mouth of a patient; selecting a length of a clamping cord, the cord, in a relaxed state, comprised of a core portion of a first diameter and a clamping portion of a second diameter greater than the first diameter wherein the clamping portion comprises fibers arranged longitudinally along and outward of a section of the core portion, the fibers having interstices therebetween, the clamping portion further including a polymeric material substantially surrounding the fibers and filling the interstices; inserting the core portion of the clamping cord in a space between two adjacent teeth and proximate a surface of the dental dam; and moving the clamp cord axially through the space until the clamping portion becomes lodged in the space between the two adjacent teeth and proximate the surface of the dental dam, thereby prohibiting removal of the dental dam.