Antibacterial and conventional self-etching primer system: morphological evaluation of intact primary enamel

The aim of this study was to analyze the etching effect of a new dental adhesive system that uses an antibacterial and self-etching primer agent. Non-carious primary human molars were divided into three groups: 35% phosphoric acid etching (3M-ESPE), self-etching primer (Clearfil SE Bond--Kuraray) and antibacterial self-etching primer (ABF experimental system--Kuraray) for SEM evaluation of surface, resin replicas and interface. Both self-etching primers produced shallow grooves and no defined etching morphologies. Phosphoric acid produced definite etching patterns at the enamel surface.