Adaptation of silicate and Adaptic to the margins of cavities. A scanning electron microscope study

The effects of etching of the enamel, on the adaptation of silicate and Adaptic to the cavity walls was examined with the scanning electron microscope. Replica methods were utilized to ensure that no shrinkage of the filling materials was caused by the vacuum in the instrument. It was shown that following etching of the cavity margins, Adaptic adhered to the enamel with absent, or minimal, fissure formation on one side of the filling, and some on the opposite side. The adaptation of silicate to the margins of the cavities was not improved by etching.