Etching gel is used in dentistry to increase the area of the surfaces which are to be glued- the actual tooth or enamel and the ceramics or plastic. The acid from the etching gel eats into the surface of the tooth/enamel and the ceramic/plastic on which it is applied and creates a jagged edge, called the micro-retentive pattern, which results in an increase of the available gluing surface area. Thus, ensuring a stable and long-lasting connection. The appearance of any dirt or saliva on the gluing surface, however, does not allow etching or the Etching gel to perform effectively as it hinders the etching gel to eat into the gluing surface to produce the jagged edges. The duration for which the etching gel can be left on the dentine is considerably lower than the enamel. The edges of the dentine contain damaged cells, which are a result of the drilling. When the etching gel is left for a longer time on the dentine, it reacts with the protein discharge from the damaged cells and coagulates, thus stopping the glue from percolating. If after washing off the etching gel from both the enamel and dentine, the enamel appears to be chalky white, one can assume that etching has been successful and the dentist can now go ahead with the gluing procedure. Watch the video to know more about etching gel/ etching enamels and the overall process of etching.

Produced: 03/2011