Various fluorides, such as NaF, SnF 2, acidulated NaF, TiF 4, and ZrF 4 as well as casein and saliva, were applied to acid-conditioned enamel surfaces to study their effect on bonding, resin penetration and wettability of enamel. Topical treatment of ground-etched enamel with these agents, prior to application of Sevriton self-curing resin adhesive, generally resulted in significant reductions in bond strength. It was shown by SEM that fluoride application produced reaction products, or precipitates, which covered the surface and appeared partly to fill inter-prismatic spaces, interfering with resin penetration and tag formation which are considered responsible in large measure for the bonding obtained on enamel surfaces. The formation of fluoride reaction products also reduced the wettability of the surface, a situation also conducive to lower bonding strengths. Titanium tetrafluoride produced an acid-resistant, coherent film which floated off the enamel surface after its decalcification in 5 per cent HCl. The findings support the idea that, in the clinical use of adhesives for sealing pits and fissures against caries, topical fluoride treatments or contact with saliva should be avoided subsequent to acid-conditioning of the enamel surface. Fluoride treatments, however, may be given subsequent to adhesive application.