Oral fluid contamination of etched enamel surfaces: an SEM study.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the effects of differing salivary contamination periods on the surface topography of etched enamel surfaces using SEM techniques. The results indicated that salivary contamination of etched enamel for 1 second or longer resulted in the formation of surface coatings that could not be removed by a water wash. It was concluded that should salivary contamination of an etched enamel surface occur, it would be necessary to repeat the etching procedure to ensure adequate bonding of a resin material.