Self-Etch Adhesive Advantages — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: A — Reduced post-operative sensitivity due to preservation of the smear layer
Self-etch (SE) adhesive systems do not require a separate acid-etching step — the acidic primer simultaneously demineralises and infiltrates the dentin surface, incorporating (rather than removing) the smear layer. This reduces the risk of over-etching, collagen collapse, and incomplete resin infiltration that can cause post-operative sensitivity. However, SE systems generally produce weaker bonds to uncut enamel compared to total-etch systems, so selective enamel etching with phosphoric acid before SE application is often recommended.
Reference: Heymann – Sturdevant's Art and Science of Operative Dentistry, 7th ed., 2019