total-etch adjective1 •Pertaining to adhesive systems for bonding fillings to teeth that require the application of phosphoric acid in a separate etching step .The total-etch system completely removes the smear layer using an acidic gel (usually phosphate acid) and demineralizes hydroxyapatite under the smear layer of the dentin. — 2015 formsmore total-etch · most total-etch
