No abstract

People worldwide have become increasingly aware of the potential adverse effects on the environment, of pollution control and of toxic effects of food, drugs and biomaterials. Amalgam and its potential toxic side effects (still scientifically unproven) continue to be discussed with increasing controversy by the media in some countries. Consequently, new direct restorative materials are now being explored by dentists, materials scientists and patients who are searching for the so-called 'amalgam substitute' or 'amalgam alternative'. From a critical point of view some of the new direct restorative materials are good with respect to aesthetics, but all material characteristics must be considered, such as mechanical properties, biological effects, and longterm clinical behaviour.

CHPP and CHP increased the pH of isotonic sodium chloride >11 within 3 min. CHPP had a greater release of Ca2+ compared with CHP.

All the adhesives tested are suitable for bonding orthodontic brackets and to reduce the risk of enamel fracture while minimizing etching depth, which in turns means less conditioning-related enamel loss. More development is needed to improve the etching performance of both experimental bonding agents and SE Zement.

The development of computer aided technology in restorative dentistry has created a range of techniques for the modern dentist. The types of systems now available and the literature published thus far on long term clinical results of restorations created by such techniques are reviewed.