The application of ESEM in dental materials research.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) to investigate acid etching of enamel and to comment on future applications of ESEM in dental materials research.


METHODS
The acid etching of axially fractured specimens of human enamel by a 35% (ortho) phosphoric acid etchant was observed using ESEM.


RESULTS
Most of the etching action, as evidence by gaseous bubbling in the etchant film, was observed to occur within 10 s of applying the etchant. High magnification examination of the etched areas revealed distinct etching patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
ESEM may play an important role in developing the understanding and existing knowledge pertaining to dynamic chemical and physical interactions between components of restorative systems and tooth tissue substrates.
Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, UK.
A J
AJ
Cowan
N H
NH
Wilson
M A
MA
Wilson
D C
DC
Watts
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003764:Dental Materials; D018865:Dental Research / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation*
D003764:Dental Materials