Ruchika Singh Reddy, Shrikant S Chitko, Kranthikumar Reddy S, Priyanka Satpute, Sulakshana Raut, Sony Vhatkar-Gulhane

ABSTRACT

Background: The objective was to perform a comparative analysis of effect of different etching time on surface roughness and surface loss of enamel. Materials and method: The sample was composed of 40 teeth divided into four groups: Group I - Etching time 10 seconds, Group II - Etching time 20 seconds, Group III - Etching time 30 seconds and Group IV - Etching time 40 seconds. After etching for respective duration the teeth were dried and subjected to Profilometer and Profile projector to find change in surface roughness and surface loss of enamel respectively. The average value of surface roughness and surface loss was recorded for each tooth before and after etching at different time inetrval. The increase in surface roughness and surface loss caused by etching was calculated and compared between groups. Results: The mean increase in surface roughness caused by etching was group I (0.331); group II (0.370); group III (0.606); group IV (0.573). There was a significant difference between the groups but on comparison between group III and group IV the difference was insignificant. Mean increase in surface loss caused by etching was group I (0.006); group II (0.012); group III (0.016); group IV (0.023). There was a significant increase in the surface loss of enamel between each group with an increase in the etching time. Conclusion: The present study showed that etching of tooth for 30 seconds produced good surface roughness and optimal surface loss which is favourable for bonding the brackets.