Posterior composites: a practical guide revisited.
Direct placement resin composite is revolutionizing the restoration of posterior teeth. Compared to amalgam, its use not only improves aesthetics but, more importantly, promotes a minimally invasive approach to cavity preparation. Despite the benefits, the use of composite to restore load-bearing surfaces of molar and premolar teeth is not yet universally applied. This may be due to individual practitioner concerns over unpredictability, time and the fact that procedures remain technique sensitive for many, particularly with regard to moisture control, placement and control of polymerization shrinkage stress. New materials, techniques and equipment are available that may help to overcome many of these concerns. This paper describes how such techniques may be employed in the management of a carious lesion on the occlusal surface of an upper molar.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct posterior composite is the treatment of choice for the conservative restoration of primary carious lesions.
Primary Dental Care Research Group, University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK.
Louis
L
Mackenzie
F J Trevor
FJ
Burke
Adrian C C
AC
Shortall
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D057087:Dental Atraumatic Restorative Treatment / Q000379:methods; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003775:Dental Polishing; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives / Q000379:methods; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D016733:Rubber Dams; D013499:Surface Properties
D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents