Total Etch or Self Etch: The Debate Continues

Dentistry IQ

August 5 2011

Lee Ann Brady DMD

My partner and I had dinner together this week, and once we had handled our agenda items about the office, the conversation turned clinical. Before I knew it we were discussing etching techniques. My experience is that this is a common conversation amongst dentists; we poll one another to see what everyone else is doing and what their experience is with their chosen technique.

I make my choices about dental materials and techniques based on a variety of factors that include effectiveness, longevity, efficiency and patient satisfaction. For these exact reasons when I am asked which I use total etch or self etch, my answer is both depending on the clinical situation.

The purpose of etching is to remove the smear layer that is present after tooth preparation. In addition it opens the dentinal tubules, demineralizing enough of the dentin to allow the formation of resin tags within the dentin structure. This process in combination with dentin adhesives result in bond strengths adequate to place and retain restorations.  Both techniques accomplish these goals, and come with risks and benefits.

Total etching is the classic technique of utilizing a 30-40% phosphoric acid gel to prepare both the enamel and the dentin for adhesive procedures.  One of the greatest advantages of this technique is its ability to prepare enamel, dentin and sclerotic dentin for bonding, resulting in high bond strengths. Additionally total etch systems due not interfere with the polymerization of dual cure resin products so can be used universally.

On the other side are the risks. Utilizing a total etch system can be technique sensitive. First we have the challenge of adequately etching the enamel without over etching the dentin. Enamel surfaces require 25 seconds of exposure to phosphoric acid. Dentin on the other had should not be exposed to the gel for more then 15 seconds. Over etching dentin results in post operative sensitivity as well as decreases in bond strength due to the demineralization penetrating further into the tubules then the resin tags will go, and formation of a gap. To compensate for this challenge I ring the enamel in etching gel and count off to ten seconds, I then cover all of the dentin surfaces, wait fifteen more seconds and then rinse.

Rinsing adds the next challenge as then we have to understand how moist to leave the prep before placing the dentin adhesive. The concept is to rinse the gel away and dry to remove pooling of water, but to leave water in the dentinal tubules. The water is important because when the dentin is too dry  the collagen matrix of the dentin tubules collapses and an adequate hybrid zone is no formed. This collapse prevents penetration of the resin, and decreases bond strengths. Primer is hydrophilic and designed to chase water, so having moisture is inherent in a successful bond. I have been taught many ways to do this. My current favorite is to place the high volume suction over the tooth and leave it in place for twenty seconds. The other challenge of rinsing the gel comes from its acidity and ability to cause the patient to salivate during a time when isolation is critical. We utilize a disposable surgical suction to remove as much of the blue gel as possible prior to rinsing. Then rinse with the high volume suction directly over the tooth, to minimize the amount of phosphoric acid that gets on the patients tongue. In my total etch technique I utilize a rewetting/desensitizing agent after rinsing and prior to placing the primer to overcome both the risk of post-op sensitivity and over drying.

Self -etching systems rely on 10% maleic acid or acidic monomers to remove the smear layer and demineralize the tooth structure. The over arching advantage of these systems is the near absence of postoperative sensitivity. Almost every dentist I talk to who uses a self etching system reports that they struggled with post op issues when using total etch, and it has all but disappeared since the switch. The absence of post op sensitivity comes from not over etching or over drying the dentin as part of the protocol. Not having to manage the timing of the material against enamel versus dentin, or worry about rinsing and drying are advantages all to themselves.

This up side does however come with some risks. Self-etching systems are less effective at preparing enamel surfaces and sclerotic dentin. The result can be lower bond strengths and the concern about adhesive failures. Many of the clinicians I speak to are utilizing a hybrid technique to overcome this challenge. They place phosphoric acid gel on only the enamel margins for 25 seconds. They rinse and thoroughly dry, and then use a self etching dentin adhesive. The etching component in the dentin adhesive, results in the product having an acidic ph. This acidity can interfere with the chemistry of some dual cure resin products.  If you are using a self-etching system I strongly recommend that you verify the compatibility between your dentin adhesive and the resin systems you use routinely.

So let the debate continue for everyone else I keep both systems close at hand. Whether I self etch or total etch, or use the new hybrid technique depends on my assessment of the clinical factors present, and which technique I believe will be most efficient and effective, resulting in the highest patient satisfaction and clinical longevity.

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