Applying the right type of dental etching gel is crucial to creating a firm bond between restorative material and tooth structure, and ultimately a longer lasting restoration. For best results, it is important that you consider what characteristics work best for different acid etching techniques and patient needs. The choice of what dental acid etching product to purchase or reach for during treatment should be made with the following information in mind.
The job of a dental etching gel, more commonly known as “etch,” is to create a rough surface on the tooth by dissolving some of the minerals of the enamel and/or dentine. This enables the dentine and enamel surfaces to better absorb the dental material and create a secure adhesion. The acid itself is usually 30 to 40 percent phosphoric acid and coloured brightly to make it more visible. Etching gels work very quickly. In an etch and rinse technique, enamel and dentine are typically etched for 15 seconds and rinsed for 15 seconds to remove the residue of phosphoric acid.