Figure 3. FE-ESEM images of polished, intact interfaces that were bonded with Fuji VII. The polished surfaces were briefly etched with phosphoric acid to remove the smear layer and to bring the interfaces into relief. (A) Representative example from specimens with the exposed GIC surface sealed with resin immediately after placement. A spherical body, still embedded within the polyalkenoate matrix, was seen 150 µm away from the bonded dentin (D). Another spherical body (open arrow) was probably dislodged from an adjacent air-void (arrow). No spherical bodies were observed from either the bonded enamel or along the exposed GIC surface (not shown). (B) Representative example from specimens in which the exposed GIC surface was not sealed and exposed to water for 10 min prior to storage at 100% relative humidity. The surface of the GIC was partially fractured during sectioning, exposing a spherical body (pointer) that was about 30 µm away from the unsealed GIC surface (US). Another partially intact spherical body (open arrowhead) could be seen further down the polished surface at about 180 µm from the unsealed GIC surface. Only air-voids could be identified further down the polished surface.