Although there have been many advances in the field of acid etching, major problems still present. For the most part, these are the unpredictability of the effects of etching, the lack of control of the depth of etching over the long term, and the development of enamel fractures occurring on debonding. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological effects of enamel conditioning using a pulsed krypton fluoride excimer laser (wavelength 248 nm). Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed a surface similar to that produced by peripheral etching; no signs of thermal damage were to be seen. The requirements that have to be met by a modern laser considered as a possible alternative to conventional acid etching, are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.