Resumo

MELENDEZ RUIZ, José Luis et al. Evaluación del grabado del esmalte en piezas con ápice inmaduro y maduro utilizando ácido ortofosfórico al 37% por medio de microscopia electrónica de barrido. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2002, vol.40, n.1, pp.26-30. ISSN 0001-6365.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate enamel etching with orthophosphoric acid at 37% using different time on young teeth (inmatured apex), analyzed with electronic microscopy (MEB). 40 bicuspids were the sample recently extracted, 20 with inmatured apex and 20 fully developed. Each tooth was selected and etched for 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds and then analyzed by the MEB. Data was evaluated statistically with the Ji ² (Chi square). There were no significantly differences neither between groups nor times of etching at 15, 30, 45 except in fully developed teeth etched at 60 seconds were we found the poorest results. We conclude that the enamel etching on matured teeth should not be taken clinically at 60 seconds.

Palavras-chave : Enamel etching; orthophosphoric acid; inmatured apex; matured apex.