Advantages

1. Esthetic.
2. Conservative of tooth structure removal (less extesion, uniform
depth not necessary, mechanical retention usually not
necessary).
3. Less complex when preparing the tooth.
4. Insulative, having low thermal conductivity.
5. Used almost universally.
6. Bondedtotoothstructure,resultingingoodretention, low
microleakage, minimal interfacial staining, and increased
strength of remaining tooth structure.
7. Repairable.
Disadvantages
The primary disadvantages of composite restorations relate to
potential gap formation and procedural difficulties. Composite
restorations :
1. May have a gap formation, usually occurring on root surfaces as
a result of the forces of polymerization shrinkage of the
composite material being greater than the initial early bond
strength of the material to dentin.
2. Are more difficult, time-consuming, and costly (compared with
amalgam restorations) because Tooth treatment for bonding
usually requires multiple steps.Insertion is more difficult.
Establishing proximal contacts, axial contours, embrasures, and
occlusal contacts may be more difficult. Finishing and polishing
procedures are more difficult.
3. Are more technique sensitive because the operating site must be
appropriately isolated, and the place- ment of etchant, primer,
and adhesive on the tooth structure (enamel and dentin) is
demanding of proper technique.
4. May exhibit greater occlusal wear in areas of high occlusal stress
or when all of the tooths occlusal contacts are on the composite
material.
5. Have a higher LCTE, resulting in potential marginal percolation if
an inadequate bonding technique is used.
Initial Clinical Procedures
(1) Anesthesia may be necessary for patient comfort, and if used,
anesthesia helps decrease the salivary flow during the procedure.
(2) Occlusal assessments should be made to help in properly adjusting
the restorations function and in determining the tooth preparation
design.
(3) The shade must be selected before the tooth dehydrates and
experiences concomitant lightening.
(4) The area must be isolated to permit effective bond- ing.

(5) If the restoration is large (including all of the proximal contact),

inserting a wedge in the area before- hand assists in the reestablishment of the proximal contact with composite.
Tooth Preparation
Class III tooth preparations: located on the proximal surfaces of
anterior teeth. Such locations have been the predominant sites for the
use of composite restorations in the past because of the typical need
for esthetic restorations in anterior teeth. Because the bond of
composite to enamel and dentin is so strong, most Class III composite
restorations are retained only by the micromechanical bond from acid
etching and resin bonding, so no additional preparation retention form
is usually necessary.
Using diamond stones for the tooth preparation leaves the
prepared surfaces rougher, increasing the surface area and the
micromechanical retention. Diamond instruments also leave a
thickened smear layer, however.19,20,27 Self-etching bonding systems
can be negatively affected by thick smear layers because of the mildly
aggressive acids they contain. Usually, additional needed retention
form can be achieved simply by increasing the surface area with a
wider enamel bevel or flare along the margin.
When a proximal surface of an anterior tooth is to be restored, and
there is a choice between facial or lingual entry into the tooth, the
lingual approach is preferable. A small carious lesion should be treated
from the lingual approach unless such an approach would necessitate
excessive cutting of tooth structure, such as in instances of irregular
alignment of the teeth or facial positioning of the lesion. The
advantages of restoring the proximal lesion from the lingual approach
are as follows:
1. The facial enamel is conserved for enhanced esthetics.
2. Some unsupported, but not friable, enamel may be left on the
facial wall of a Class III or Class IV preparation.
3. Color matching of the composite is not as critical.
4. Discoloration or deterioration of the restoration is less visible.
Indications for a facial approach include the following: