Diseases

Smear Layer

Adherent debris produced when cutting the enamel or dentin in cavity preparation. It is about 1 micron thick and its composition reflects the underlying dentin, although different quantities and qualities of smear layer can be produced by the various instrumentation techniques. Its function is presumed to be protective, as it lowers dentin permeability. However, it masks the underlying dentin and interferes with attempts to bond dental material to the dentin.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Adherent debris produced when cutting the enamel or dentin in cavity preparation. It is about 1 micron thick and its composition reflects the underlying dentin, although different quantities and qualities of smear layer can be produced by the various instrumentation techniques. Its function is presumed to be protective, as it lowers dentin permeability. However, it masks the underlying dentin and interferes with attempts to bond dental material to the dentin.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Layer, Smear

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

37 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, chemistry, classification, complications, congenital, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, ultrastructure, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

note category: in dental cavity preparation

MeSH Record

History Note

92

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Dental Cavity Preparation (1981-1991)
  • Dental Pulp Cavity (1981-1991)
  • Dentin (1981-1991)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Smear Layer. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D016369. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D016369
  2. Smear Layer. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smear_layer
  3. Smear Layer. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7544315