Recent advances in direct reinforced restorations for vital teeth

The conservative option depends mainly on the ability of the bonded restoration to strengthen the enamel in the same way that dentine gives strength and supports the enamel. In order for a dental material to reinforce the vital tooth, it must bond to dentine. As such, an essential attribute of a good dentine adhesive system is the ability of the adhesive to wet and infiltrate the dentine. In restorative dentistry, numerous studies have demonstrated coronal reinforcement of the vital tooth through bonded restorations. Six bonded amalgams and resin composites have all been shown to reinforce the remaining vital tooth structure by bonding to dentine and enamel.