Journal of Dental Research, Vol 56, 1155-1160, Copyright © 1977 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The morphologic relationship between dental resins and etched dentin
A. J. Gwinnett
A scanning electron microscopic examination of the interface between etched
dentin and several different commercial resins showed that pretreatment
with othophosphoric acid enlarged the dentinal tubules facilitating
penetration of the resin. The depth of penetration increased from
approximately 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm when dentin was dried for 24 hours compared
to using the normal clinical protocol. The hydration of dentin and/or the
presence of dentinal fluid probably influences the degree of resin
penetration. While penetration would provide a means of mechanical
retention of resin it would probably do so at the expense of dentin and
pulp viability particularly where remaining dentin thickness is less than
1.0 mm. Penetration of toxic resin would account in part for the enhanced
inflammatory pulpal response observed following application of acid etch
restorative procedures.
