Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The scenario describes what happens when a sealant or bonding agent is not applied to an area of enamel that has been etched by acid. When enamel is etched, it creates a surface that is more receptive to bonding agents. If these agents are not applied, the etched area will not be protected.

The correct outcome in this case is that a condition known as "de-remineralization" can occur in the etched area. In the absence of protection, the enamel remains vulnerable, and continuous exposure to factors such as saliva, food particles, and bacteria can lead to carious activity or other issues in that specific area.

The correct reasoning for the chosen answer relates to how enamel properties change after acid etching. With no bonding agent or sealant present to help protect the etched enamel, it remains in an altered state, susceptible to further degradation. The structure of the enamel might not revert back or return to its normal condition within a short time frame, and without appropriate intervention, the risk of enamel declassification or further damage increases significantly.

Therefore, while the choice indicating that the enamel would return to normal within 7 days seems plausible, the reality is that the unprotected etched area is likely to continue deteriorating rather than reverting, making the premise that