Composite resins have gained great prominence in aesthetic dentistry in recent years, being increasingly used due to their properties and ease of handling. The objective of this narrative review of the literature is to address factors that will contribute to achieving greater longevity of composite resin restorations, namely isolation of the operative field, cavity preparation, adhesive system, photoactivation, finishing and polishing. The data presented in the review were obtained from 26 articles in Portuguese and English and books in the field of dentistry with high relevance to the proposed topic. It is concluded that for the restoration to be successful it is necessary to know the periodicities of the resin to be used, to have a well photoactivated adhesive layer, to guarantee a quality photoactivation where all the resin will be polymerized, a finish that removes all gross irregularities of the restoration and a effective polishing, making the surface of the resin smooth and shiny, this way it is possible to guarantee greater durability of clinical work involving composite resins.