Which term refers to 'the process of creating a surface with acid to improve bonding'?

Which term refers to 'the process of creating a surface with acid to improve bonding'?

• A. Etching
• B. Desiccate
• C. Polymerize
• D. Eugenol

Answer: (A)

Etching is the process described. It involves applying an acid to the tooth surface to create tiny roughness and porosities. That roughened surface increases surface energy and lets adhesive resin flow into the irregularities, forming strong mechanical bonds as it hardens. The other terms don’t describe creating surface roughness with acid: desiccate means to dry out the tissue, which doesn’t modify the surface for bonding; polymerize is the curing reaction of the adhesive; eugenol is a chemical used in some cements, not the surface-etching step.

Etching is the process described. It involves applying an acid to the tooth surface to create tiny roughness and porosities. That roughened surface increases surface energy and lets adhesive resin flow into the irregularities, forming strong mechanical bonds as it hardens. The other terms don’t describe creating surface roughness with acid: desiccate means to dry out the tissue, which doesn’t modify the surface for bonding; polymerize is the curing reaction of the adhesive; eugenol is a chemical used in some cements, not the surface-etching step.