Enamel deproteinization and its effect on acid etching: An in vitro study

Abstract

Purpose: The goal of this in vitro study was to identify the topographical features of the enamel surface deproteinized and etched with phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 3 PO 4 37% for 15 seconds. Group AH1: Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) 5.25% for 30 seconds followed by Acid Etching with H 3 PO 4 37% for 15 seconds. Group AH2 ; Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) 5.25% for 60 seconds followed by Acid Etching with H 3 PO 4 37% for 15 seconds. Results showed that group AH2 etching technique reached an area of 76.6 mm2 of the total surface, with a 71.8 mm2 (94.47%), type 1 and 2 etching pattern, followed by group AH1 with 55.9 mm2 out of 75.12 mm2 (74.1%), and finally group A with only 36.8 mm2 (48.83%) out of an area of 72.7 mm2. A significant statistical difference (P <0 .05) existed between all groups, leading to the conclusion that enamel deproteinization with 5.25% NaOCl for 1 minute before H 3 PO 4, etching increases the enamel conditioning surface as well as the quality of the etching pattern.