Effect of Novel Etching System on Etch Pattern in Primary Teeth: An

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effects of different etching systems on etch patterns and mineral retention in primary tooth enamel. Materials and methods: Forty extracted, noncarious primary teeth were randomly divided into four groups, each containing 10 teeth. The groups were as follows: group I (Control)-no intervention, group II-etched with 37% phosphoric acid, group III-etched with 37% phosphoric acid combined with tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and group IV-etched with 10% citric acid combined with TCP. The sectioned buccal surfaces were etched for 15 seconds, rinsed for 15 seconds, and air-dried for 30 seconds. The etched surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe etch patterns, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to assess calcium and phosphorus retention. Results: Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed distinct etch patterns across the groups. group II (37% phosphoric acid) produced a highly porous surface, indicative of aggressive demineralization, while group III (phosphoric acid + TCP) demonstrated a more controlled etch pattern with higher calcium retention. Group IV (citric acid + TCP) produced the smoothest surface with minimal porosity, reflecting a milder etch effect. EDX analysis showed that group III had the highest calcium retention (41.47 ± 0.56%), whereas group IV had the lowest phosphorus content (9.39 ± 0.13%). Conclusion: The addition of TCP to phosphoric and citric acid etching systems reduced the aggressive demineralization typically seen with phosphoric acid alone. The phosphoric acid + TCP combination offered an optimal balance between effective etching and mineral preservation, making it a promising etching system for primary teeth. Citric acid + TCP, while gentler, may be suitable for cases where enamel conservation is prioritized. How to cite this article: Sudev SS, Pooja VR. Effect of Novel Etching System on Etch Pattern in Primary Teeth: An