These barrier envelopes also help to protect the x-ray plates. The premium plastic material is tough and prevents the plates from getting scratched, dented, or damaged while in the patient’s mouth. By using dental X-ray barriers. You can maximize the service life of each plate, which helps cut down on the practice’s expenses as well.
- Effectively removes the smear layer.
- Demineralizes enamel and dentin.
- Perfect viscosity.
- Highly visible.
- Rinses away cleanly.
Moreover, phosphoric acid is not only used for etching enamel and dentin surfaces within dental bonding procedures but can also be used as an intra- and extra-oral cleaning agent for tooth structure and dental restorations. One of the major advantages of a phosphoric acid gel etchant in dentistry is its superior control during placement procedures.
Characteristics Of Phosphoric Acid Etching Gel
Etching gel has non-slumpy consistency, allows precise application and is generally blue in colour which makes it highly visible. Moreover, it is easily rinsed with minimum effort. Etching gel roughens the surface, increases retention of sealant, and promotes mechanical retention for composite restorations for inlays, crowns, bridges, veneers, root canal posts splints, orthodontic brackets, and pit and fissure sealing.
Types of acid:
The concentration of etching gel usually contains phosphoric or hydrofluoric acid.
Concentration:
The actual concentration percentage varies depending on whether it is phosphoric or hydrofluoric. However, phosphoric acid is commercially available in concentrations between 30% and 40%, with 37% being the most common. On the other hand, hydrofluoric acid is usually used in concentrations between 5% and 10%.
The Viscosity:
The ideal etching gel should have an appropriate viscosity that facilitates its precise application. The etching gel having the property of thixotropy allows it to flow and become more viscous when it is applied and does not run off the tooth’s surface.
Liquid/Gel:
The etching gel can be presented in both liquid and gel form. In both cases, they can be in syringe or canister format.
Directions For Etching Gel:
The etching gel is a water-based, 40% phosphoric acid gel. The gel is blue in colour for better visibility and easy identification against tooth structure. Etching gel is generally applied using a syringe with a dispensary needle attached. The gel is applied directly to the tooth enamel, covering all the angles and keeping the acid from the dentin. Then the acid gel is left in place for 15 seconds.
Usually, a 90 to 120-second etch is recommended on primary teeth with high fluoride content. After that, the gel is rinsed thoroughly for 20 seconds. Then dried with air that is water and oil-free.