SOD Theory 1 Practice Test

Bond strength to enamel mainly comes from creating a clean, microrough surface that the bonding resin can penetrate and lock into. Using phosphoric acid etching removes the smear layer and demineralizes the enamel surface just enough to form tiny porosities. The amount of roughness you achieve depends on how long you etch and how thoroughly you rinse and dry afterward. If the surface isn’t cleaned well or the etch time is off, the resin cannot infiltrate properly, leading to weaker bonding. The other factors listed—tooth color, ambient room temperature, and patient age—don’t directly determine how well the enamel bonds to the resin, so they have much less impact on bond strength. Focus on precise, clean etching to maximize adhesion.