OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the topographical features of enamel surface, etched with different materials.STUDY DESIGN: 10 extracted human primary molars were randomly selected and cut and trimmed to 1 mm2. Each group comprised of 10 blocks and the enamel was treated as follows: Group I-35% H3PO4; Group II-5.25% NaOCl + 35% H3PO4 ;Group III-5.25% NaOCl; Group IV no treatment was carried out. All the samples were prepared for Scanning electron microscope analysis. The images were obtained and evaluated for the quality type I-II etching of the enamel surface using Auto-CAD 2011 software.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test (p<0.001).RESULTS: The mean surface area of type I and II etching pattern values for Group- I was 39608.18 ìm2 and Group- II was 45051.34 ìm2.CONCLUSION: Deproteinization with 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite prior to acid etching could be used to increase the surface area of adhesion of composite material with the tooth surface.
Acid Etching, Dental Dental Enamel