[Focus on the smear layer in 1990].

The smear layer is a debris-ladden layer, adhering firmly to the hard tissues of the tooth. It plays a major role in the different adhesive systems. An update of the recent knowledge on smear layer will be done in this article. When the carious lesion is removed, a microscopic debris-ladden layer forms at the level on the enamel and the dentine. This layer of materials is extremely adherent to the dental structure, and will come in between the hard dental tissues and the filling materials. In this article different studies were reviewed on the formation, structure and physiology of the smear layer. Consequences of this smear layer's removal on the pulp are discussed. A small study of different adhesive systems is conducted.