Direct and Indirect Composites

There is a plethora of direct and indirect adhesive restorative materials on the market. The average dentist is often overwhelmed by the choices. Many times one material offers little advantage over another. However, as the push for improved esthetic continues to grow, so will our list of materials. So long as there is a market, the manufacturer will introduce new products. As dentists, we must not only rely on the materials but on our own ability to treatment plan and diagnose based on a multifactorial situation. We must be careful in preparation, design, and communication with a skilled laboratory technician and be meticulous in our bonding techniques. Failures in dentistry are frequently blamed on the materials. In reality, ¿user error¿ is often the culprit. Interpreting the research data and understanding our options based on the patient¿s caries risk status is the first step toward success.