True or False: Acid etching creates a chemical bond.

In this context, the statement that acid etching creates a chemical bond is false because acid etching primarily serves to produce a micro-rough surface that enhances mechanical retention rather than forming a direct chemical bond. When a substrate, such as enamel or dentin, is etched with acid, the process removes some of the mineral content and creates a more surface area with irregularities.

This increased surface area allows for better mechanical interlocking when a bonding agent or adhesive is applied. The resulting mechanical bond is what strengthens the adherence of subsequent restorative materials, not a chemical bond created by the etching process itself. Therefore, the process improves the bonding capabilities but does not intrinsically create a chemical bond between the materials involved.