The permeability of human radicular dentin was measured as a hydraulic conductance before and after treatment with K files and before and after subsequent treatment of the endodontic smear layer with NaOCl, 50% citric acid, or 3% monopotassium-monohydrogen oxalate. Filing reduced dentin permeability 25 to 49%, respectively, depending upon whether outer or inner root dentin was filed. The permeability of these smear layers was unaffected by 5% NaOCl but increased many times after treatment with 50% citric acid for 2 min. Oxalate treatment lowered root dentin permeability to levels below that produced by creation of smear layers due to the production of a crystalline precipitate.