Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies of Root Dentin Surfaces Treated with Citric Acid, Elastase, Hyaluronidase, Pronase and Collagenase

The effect of topical application of various enzymes to citric acid-demineralized root surface dentin was evaluated using the scanning electron microscope. All of the enzyme treatments appeared to expose more collagen than demineralization alone. Collagenase application appeared to clear all ground substance from the collagen fibrils and may have hydrolyzed some of the fibrils themselves. The other enzymes appeared to clear partially the intercollagenous ground substance.