Journal of Dental Research, Vol 58, 1859-1865, Copyright © 1979 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
In vivo effect of oral environment on etched enamel: a scanning electron microscopic study
R. Garberoglio and G. Cozzani
After etching the enamel in teeth of young children with 50% buffered
phosphoric acid and allowing the teeth to remain in the oral environment
for a few months, an irregular enamel surface similar to the morphology of
recently etched enamel was noted by means of scanning electron microscopy.
In addition, the enamel surfaces were covered with plaque. Accordingly,
observations by other authors, that etched human enamel takes on a normal
appearance after short exposure in the oral cavity, could not be confirmed.
However, when the surface of the etched enamel was pumiced, the enamel
reacquired both the shine and appearance of non-etched enamel.
