[The damage caused by caustic acids during sealing of the dental enamel]

The chemical etching of enamel required for adhesion of sealant layers on the dental surfaces means that the enamel structure is weakened, especially due to the fact that after application of the sealant the cauterized layers are no longer in a remineralization equilibrium with the dental environment. The reactions on which cauterization is based are critically discussed. Newly developed synthetics are mentioned whose application as a sealant renders previous cauterization of the enamel by acids superfluous.