Crystal growth technique for composite resin bonding. A SEM study.

This study aimed to compare the surface structure of the exposed enamel and dentine treated with acid etching and various concentrations of crystal growth agents (CGA) under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Fifteen maxillary central incisors which fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were used as samples. The acid used for etching the enamel was 37% orthophosphoric acid and CGA's were 2%, 5% and 10% for micacid saturated with ammonium sulfate. The samples were divided into 5 groups and expect control group others were subjected to various surface treatments. They were observed under SEM at X 1000 magnification. The acid etched enamel surface structure was similar to the previously published reports. Maximum crystal growth on enamel and dentin were observed with 5% CGA. The surface irregularity produced by crystals were similar to acid etched surface.