Which statement about sandblasting is true?

• A. It cuts tooth structure.
• B. It provides microretentive features to improve bonding.
• C. It removes caries from deep dentin.
• D. It does not affect bonding.

Answer: (B)

Sandblasting is used to create microretentive features on the tooth surface, which boosts bonding by increasing surface roughness and porosity for adhesive resin to infiltrate. The tiny irregularities and removal of the smear layer provide many retention sites that form resin tags with the bonding agent, leading to stronger micromechanical bonding to both enamel and dentin. While some superficial material removal can occur, the key effect is not cutting tooth structure but enhancing the surface for bonding. It is not a method for caries removal, and saying it does not affect bonding is incorrect because the microretentive features it creates directly improve bond strength.