Effect of Surface Pretreatment on the Sealing Ability of Resin-Based Barriers: A Microleakage Study
Joon Koh DMD1*, Amir H. Nejat DDS, MS, MSD, CDT2, Thomas Lallier PhD3, Albert F. McMullen DDS4
1Postgraduate Endodontic Resident, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
2Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
3Professor, Cell Biology and Anatomy Coordinator for Student Research, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
4Department Head and Postgraduate Director, Endodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
*Corresponding Author: Joon Koh DMD, Postgraduate Endodontic Resident, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.028
Received: June 11, 2026
Published: July 01, 2026
Citation: Koh J, Nejat AH, Lallier T, McMullen AF. Effect of Surface Pretreatment on the Sealing Ability of Resin-Based Barriers: A Microleakage Study. SVOA Dentistry 2026, 7:4, 206-213. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.028
Abstract
Introduction: Resin-based barriers are used during root canal therapy to prevent salivary contamination of the pulp chamber, thereby minimizing bacterial ingress. Previous studies have reported variable sealing abilities among different resin-based barriers, with J-Temp showing the highest leakage and Liquid Dam the lowest. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether different dentin surface pretreatments influence the sealing ability of J-Temp and Liquid Dam.
Methods: Seventy-two extracted maxillary and mandibular molars received a 4 x 4 mm preparation on the buccal surface and were divided into six groups (n = 12) according to the barrier (J-Temp or Liquid Dam) and pretreatment: no treatment (NT), alcohol scrub (ALC), or dentin bonding agent (DBA). Specimens were submerged in 2% methylene blue for 24 hours while being agitated. After barrier removal, dye penetration was photographed using a Zumax microscope and analyzed on ImageJ. Two-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey tests and independent-samples t-tests were used (α = 0.05) for statistical analysis.
Results: For Liquid Dam, significant differences were found among pretreatments. DBA pretreatment produced significantly less leakage than NT or ALC, while NT and ALC were not significantly different. For J-Temp, no significant differences were found between the three pretreatments. Comparing the two materials, J-Temp exhibited less leakage than Liquid Dam under NT conditions, whereas Liquid Dam showed less leakage than J-Temp when a bonding agent was used.
Conclusions: Dentin bonding pretreatment significantly improves the sealing ability of Liquid Dam but has no effect on J-Temp. Surface pretreatment may mitigate inherent differences between barrier materials, potentially reducing salivary contamination risk during endodontic treatment.
Keywords: Root canal therapy, Resin-based barriers, Dentin bonding agent, Salivary contamination.
