The widespread use of adhesive systems in many branches of modern dentistry is often accompanied by complications associated with their physical, mechanical and biological characteristics, mistakes at the stages of adhesive preparation, and the irrational choice of bonding agents for individual clinical situations. The work aimed to study the known physical, mechanical and clinical properties of modern adhesive systems, the latest trends and approaches to their improvement, and prospects for the further development of restorative dentistry. The most popular adhesive systems for direct photocomposite restorations remain bonds of the V and VII generations, which are used according to the classic protocols of total etching or self-etching, respectively. The obtained results of laboratory and clinical studies of these adhesive systems are often contradictory and emphasize the problem of creating a reliable connection between the photocomposite and the dentin of the teeth. In order to increase the clinical effectiveness of direct photocomposite restorations, universal adhesive systems and self-adhesive composites were developed, which have extended indications for use in certain clinical situations and significantly simplify adhesive preparation. However, the existing experience of using these new materials also demonstrates the development of complications, even in the short period of operation of restorations. To date, no adhesive systems have an optimal set of physicomechanical and clinical characteristics for the direct restoration of defects in the hard tissues of teeth with photocomposite materials. The known results of laboratory and clinical studies of similar adhesive systems demonstrate significant discrepancies regarding the indicators of adhesive strength, the tightness of the dentin-photocomposite interface, the success of restorations, which is explained by the lack of standardized methods of their testing and clear criteria for evaluating clinical effectiveness.