MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ENAMEL AND DENTIN SURFACE MICROGEOMETRY UNDER DIFFERENT PREPARATION PROTOCOLS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/3041-1394.2026-1.1Keywords:
surface microgeometry, enamel, dentin, air abrasion, acid etching, adhesion, morphometryAbstract
Introduction. Adhesive restorations in modern dentistry require the formation of an optimal microgeometry of enamel and dentin surfaces to ensure effective micromechanical retention and long-term stability of the adhesive interface. Different preparation protocols, including rotary and air-abrasion techniques combined with acid etching, produce distinct morphological changes in hard dental tissues. However, quantitative assessment of these changes using modern surface metrology parameters in accordance with ISO 21920 standards remains insufficiently explored. Objective. To evaluate the effect of different preparation protocols (rotary and air-abrasion, with and without acid etching) on the microgeometry of enamel and dentin surfaces based on morphometric surface parameters. Materials and Methods. Enamel and dentin specimens were subjected to four preparation protocols: rotary preparation without etching (Group 1), rotary preparation with etching (Group 2), air-abrasion without etching (Group 3), and air-abrasion with etching (Group 4). Surface microgeometry was assessed using Ra and SDq parameters for enamel, and Slope and P95 parameters for dentin in accordance with ISO 21920 surface metrology approaches. The obtained values were analyzed comparatively across the groups. Results. For enamel, a progressive increase in Ra and SDq values was observed from Group 1 to Group 4, with the highest values recorded after combined air-abrasion and acid etching. For dentin, Slope and P95 demonstrated a similar trend, with minimal values after rotary preparation without etching and maximal values after combined air-abrasion and etching. Acid etching enhanced the effect of mechanical treatment by forming a more developed microrelief and promoting the opening of dentinal tubules. Conclusions. The preparation method and acid etching significantly influence the microgeometry parameters of enamel and dentin surfaces. The combination of air-abrasion and acid etching produces the most developed microgeometry of dental hard tissues, creating morphological prerequisites for improved micromechanical adhesion of restorative materials and representing a promising clinical approach for optimizing adhesive restorations.
References
Lima V.P., Soares K.D.A., Caldeira V.S., Fariae-Silva A.L., Loomans B.A.C., Moraes R.R. Airborneparticle abrasion and dentin bonding: systematic review and meta-analysis. Operative dentistry. 2021. Vol. 46, No. 1. Р. E21–E33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2341/19-216-L
Лахтін Ю.В., Григор’єв Д.Г. Адгезивний потенціал мікрорельєфу поверхонь емалі і дентину при різних протоколах препарування. Інновації в стоматології. 2025. № 2. С. 7–16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35220/2523-420X/2025.2.2.
Breschi L., Maravic T., Mazzitelli C., Josic U., Mancuso E., Cadenaro M., Mazzoni A. The evolution of adhesive dentistry: From etch-and-rinse to universal bonding systems. Dental Materials. 2025. Vol. 41, No. 2. Р. 141–158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2024.11.011.
Kui A., Buduru S., Labuneț A., Sava S., Pop D., Bara I., Negucioiu M. Air particle abrasion in dentistry: an overview of effects on dentin adhesion and bond strength. Dentistry Journal. 2024. Vol. 13, No. 1. P. 16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13010016.
Szerszeń M., Higuchi J., Romelczyk-Baishya B. et al. Physicochemical properties of dentine subjected to microabrasive blasting and its influence on bonding to self-adhesive prosthetic cement in shear bond strength test: an in vitro study. Materials. 2022. Vol. 15, No. 4. Article 1476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15041476.
Kruse A.B., Burkhardt A.S., Vach K. et al. Impact of air-polishing with erythritol on exposed root dentin: a randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2025. Vol. 23, No. 1. P. 63–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12835.
Levartovsky S., Ferdman B., Safadi N., Hanna T., Dolev E., Pilo R. Effect of silica-modified aluminum oxide abrasion on adhesion to dentin, using totaletch and self-etch systems. Polymers. 2026. Vol. 15, No. 2. Р. 446. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020446.
ISO 21920-2:2021. Geometrical product specifications (GPS) – Surface texture: Profile – Part 2: Terms, definitions and surface texture parameters. ISO, 2021. 78 p.
Van Meerbeek B., Yoshihara K., Van Landuyt K., Yoshida Y., Peumans M. From Buonocore's Pioneering Acid-Etch Technique to Self-Adhering Restoratives. A Status Perspective of Rapidly Advancing Dental Adhesive Technology. The journal of adhesive dentistry. 2020. Vol. 22, No. 1. Р. 7–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3290/j.jad.a43994.
King O.J., Milly H., Boyes V., Austin R., Festy F., Banerjee, A. (2016). The effect of air-abrasion on the susceptibility of sound enamel to acid challenge. Journal of Dentistry. 2016. Vol. 46, Р. 36–41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2016.01.009.
Nanci A., Causa H. Ten Cate's Oral Histology: Development, Structure, and Function. 9th ed. St. Louis, Missouri : Elsevier, 2018. 352 p.
Soliman A., Rabie M., Hassan H.Y. Smear layer removal by 1% phytic acid after root canal preparation with three different rotary systems. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2022. Vol. 10(D). P. 267–273. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.9524.
Nihalani H., Borkar A.C., Shetty S.S. et al. Comparative evaluation of different surface pretreatment methods on the depth of penetration of adhesive resin in sandwich technique: A confocal laser scanning microscopy study. Journal of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics. 2024. Vol. 27, No. 6. P. 644–648. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jcde.jcde_329_23.
