title: Direct anterior composites: a practical guide.
abstract: For more than 40 years dentists worldwide have been using directly placed resin-bonded composite to restore damaged anterior teeth. While such techniques are invariably more conservative of tooth tissue than indirect procedures, operative techniques using direct composite can be challenging and are considered technique sensitive. Clinicians require both technical and artistic skill to provide composite restorations that restore function and aesthetics to blend seamlessly with the residual dentition. This paper provides an update on the aesthetic considerations involved in the restoration of anterior teeth with directly placed composite and outlines the contemporary materials, equipment and techniques that are available to optimize every clinical stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful restoration of anterior teeth with direct composite is an integral component of contemporary clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Dipesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.forename: Adrian C C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Shortall
authors.forename: F J Trevor
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials