Under the scanning electron microscope, the characteristics of the buccal surface enamel of human non-erupted deciduous molars were evaluated after using 15, 30, and 45 seconds of phosphoric acid etching time. The teeth were extracted, kept in a 70% alcohol solution and later dehydrated and metallized for analysis with the scanning electron microscope JEOL, JSM-6.100. The in vitro experiment with 35% phosphoric acid revealed that there is a tendency of predominance of interprismatic enamel dissolution or type II pattern with 15 and 45 seconds etching time. The dissolution of the interprismatic enamel was more pronounced when an acid etching time of 45 seconds was used. The enamel surface demonstrated type I and type II patterns when acid etching time was 30 seconds
Dental enamel; Acid etching, dental; Microscopy, electron, scanning