Composites and its Commercial Systems

Dental composites have proved to be a boon to restorative dentistry. Introduced more than 50 years ago, composite resin technology has given a new outlook in the field of restorative dentistry offering improved physical properties. However, composite restorative materials represents a unique class of biomaterials with severe restrictions on biocompatibility, curing behavior and esthetics ultimately resulting in shrinkage, polymerization induced shrinkage stress, improper marginal adaptation, secondary caries and limited toughness leading to failure of the restoration. Hence, the demands on these restorations with regard to mechanical properties, placement and need for in situ curing leave significant room for advancements. This book reviews the general characteristics of the dental composite restorative materials and its commercial systems available in the market so that while performing the procedure, it becomes easy and clear for the clinician to choose a particular material in a particular clinical situation.