Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different commercial self-etching agents on enamel morphology using high-resolution in-lens scanning electron microscopy (FEISEM).
Methods: The bonding systems selected for the study were: Prime & Bond NT (no-etch technique), Prime & Bond 2.1 (no-etch technique), NRC/Prime and Bond NT, Syntac Single Component, Prompt L-Pop, F2000, and Clearfil SE Bond. The positive control group was prepared with Single Bond upon etching enamel with the proprietary 35% phosphoric acid gel. 24 extracted human molars were equally and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. All bonding materials were applied on enamel following the manufacturers' instructions. A thin layer of composite was applied on the polymerized adhesive agent, after which the enamel was dissolved to obtain replicas that were observed under a FEISEM.
Results: Observations revealed different morphological features brought about by the adhesive systems. A relationship between the morphological appearance and the pH of the adhesive solutions was found. Three different groups of self etching were identified: Group 1 showed no or little evidence of modifications on the enamel surface (Prime & Bond NT and Prime & Bond 2.1, no-etch technique), Group 2 revealed major aggressive properties that were able to disclose the prism morphology (Syntac Single Component, F2000, Clearfil SE Bond), and Group 3 (NRC/Prime & Bond NT and Prompt L-Pop) revealed morphological features similar to those obtained with Single Bond after etching with phosphoric acid (control group).