Compared with a total-etch (etch-and-rinse) technique, a self-etch adhesive system:

Self-etch adhesives contain acidic functional monomers that demineralize and infiltrate simultaneously; the smear layer is incorporated and there is no separate rinse step. This lowers technique and post-operative sensitivity but generally gives weaker enamel bonding than total-etch (selective enamel etching helps).Other options: The separate phosphoric-acid rinse describes total-etch; self-etch causes less, not deeper, demineralization; self-etch can bond to enamel, just less strongly.Key exam takeaway: Self-etch = etch + prime in one, no rinse, less post-op sensitivity; total-etch = phosphoric acid then rinse, stronger enamel bond.