Characterization of enamel and dentin surfaces after removal of temporary cement--study on removal of temporary cement.

Enamel and dentin surfaces of bovine teeth were characterized after mechanical and chemical removal of temporary cements. The surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Contact angles of distilled water were measured to monitor surface wettability. Mechanical removal with a dental probe did not completely remove all of the temporary cement from both enamel and dentin surfaces. These surfaces usually produced contact angles of distilled water greater than that on polished surfaces. Etching with thirty-seven percent phosphoric acid effectively removed the temporary cement that remained on enamel surfaces after mechanical removal but the etchant was not effective on dentin surfaces. Acid etching after mechanical removal of cement significantly decreased the contact angles of distilled water on enamel surfaces but the etchant only slightly improved contact angles of distilled water on dentin surfaces.