(PR088) Comparison of Different Resin-Based Barriers Used for Secondary Isolation During Root Canal Treatment in Restoratively Compromised Posterior Teeth

Objective: Effective elimination of bacteria is crucial for successful root canal therapy (RCT). Maintaining control of the chamber against bacterial infiltration can be challenging even with the use of rubber dam isolation. The risk of intraoperative contamination increases when a carious lesion or crown fracture leaves areas of compromised rubber dam adaptation. This study evaluates four resin barriers used for optimal isolation on teeth with compromised restorability.

Methods: 40 extracted human mandibular molars, each with one cusp removed above the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), were isolated with rubber dam and accessed. Canals were instrumented, apices were coated with nail polish, and teeth were mounted in dental stone. After curing, the stone-embedded teeth were soaked in water for 2 hours and randomly assigned to 4 resin barrier groups: 1) J-Temp; 2) Kool-Dam; 3) Liquid Dam; and 4) OpalDam. Teeth were restored with resin barriers as per manufacturer’s recommendations. The chambers and canals were filled with methylene blue dye for 90 minutes, followed by ultrasonic activation. Dye and resin barrier were sequentially removed, and surface photographically documented to evaluate leakage. Image J software was used to quantitate dye leakage and Student’s t-tests conducted for statical analysis (where p<0.005 was considered significant).

Results: J-Temp exhibited significantly greater dye leakage compared to the other resin barriers (p < 0.05). No significant leakage differences were found among Kool-Dam, Liquid Dam, and OpalDam (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Kool-Dam, Liquid Dam, and OpalDam effectively reduce dye leakage when used as secondary isolation during RCT in restoratively compromised teeth.