Journal of Orofacial & Health Sciences
  • Year: 2014
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue: 1

Etching Patterns of Enamel Pretreatment Techniques: A SEM study

1Assistant Professor, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College, Kumarhatti, Solan-173212, Himachal Pradesh, India

2Principal & Dean, D. J. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Niwari Road, Modinagar - 201204, Dist. Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

3Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, D. J. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Niwari Road, Modinagar-201204, Dist. Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

*Address for correspondence: Sanket Platia Email id: drsanket84@gmail.com

Online published on 20 June, 2014.

Abstract

Enamel pretreatment techniques are done to increase the surface area, and thereby change the surface from a low energy, hydrophobic surface to a high energy, hydrophilic surface. The procedures employed in the study include acid etching (AE), sand blasting and application of sodium hypochloride. Acid dissolution of the enamel surface creates microporosities that result in a micromechanical bond with the adhesive

To assess etch pattern of enamel surfaces after pretreatment with different modalities being studied under SEM.

160 extracted human premolar obtained from a group of patients aged between 16-22 years, who underwent therapeutic extraction of first/second premolars, prior to orthodontic therapy were selected randomly after enamel pretreatment from each group.

The sample specimens treated with AE and enamel deproteinization (ED) followed by AE showed type IIIetched pattern. The sample specimens treated with air-abrasion (AA 50μm) followed by AE showed combination of type I and type II etching pattern whereas type I etching pattern were seen in the specimens of group treated with AA 100μm followed by AE.

This study examined the acid etching effects on the buccal surfaces of human premolar teeth with scanning electron microscopy concluding 3 etching patterns that can appear randomly at any point on the enamel and can be found together in the same enamel zone.

Keywords

Etching pattern, Enamel pretreatment, SEM