Composite resins: updates and perspectives

Abstract

Composite resins are an indispensable item in restorative dentistry. This is because it is an accessible material, which allows less dental wear, in addition to providing excellent aesthetics and good mechanical properties. During the last decades, technology has been promoting a wide evolution in the field of dental resin materials. Not only research on physical, but also mechanical and optical properties has been carried out, increasing the load size, finish and polishability. Recently, methods have been developed to reduce polymerization shrinkage and polymerization stress. Both nanoparticulate resins and "bulk fill" resins are already consolidated in the market, bringing advantages such as greater mechanical resistance and reduction of clinical steps, in addition to unichromatic composites that facilitated the selection of colors. This study aimed to review the literature on composite resins and describe its evolution and perspectives. Based on this literature review, the use of nanotechnology increased the durability of restorations, making them more aesthetic and with better physical-mechanical resistance. Materials with differentiated viscosity for each specific case and unique increments with bulk fill resins result in less stressful procedures for dentists. The research is focused on unichromatic resins, which can mimic the dental substrate, facilitating the color taking. Self-adhesive resins (under study) still have room for improvement in their performance, which will result in a significant decrease in steps, as well as remineralizing materials that can increase the lifespan of restorations.