INTRODUCTIONThe early 1990s hallmarked the use of composite materials in dentistry. The initial composites were usually quartz-filled with large filler particles, making restorations rough and difficult to polish. With polish ability being a major aesthetic concern, a variety of newer materials have emerged in response to the ever growing needs expressed by dental practitioners. Composite resins derive their physical properties/handling characteristics from the reinforcing filler particles and viscosity from the resin matrix. A majority of direct restorative composite resins fall into one of the following categories: hybrid, nano-filled, microfill, packable and flowable composites [1].The purpose of increasing the filler load is to improve the resistance to functional wear and physical properties. Viscosity increases with increase in filler loading. Most direct restorative composite have a putty like consistency which is desirable for clinical situations but there is a need to have a less viscous composite resin for better adaptability with the cavity wall. For this reason, a new class of "flowable composite resins" was introduced in late 1996 [2].Flowable resin-based composites are conventional composites with the filler loading reduced to 37%-53% (volume) compared to 50%-70% (volume) for conventional minifilled hybrids. This altered filler loading modifies the viscosity of these materials. Most manufacturers package flowable composites in small syringes that allow for easy dispensing with very small gauge needles. This makes them ideal for use in small preparations that would be difficult to fill otherwise [3].Most literature discusses conventional composite materials at large, giving minimal emphasis to flowables in particular. The sole objective of this paper was to exclusively review the most salient features of flowable composite materials and to give clinicians a detailed insight to the advantages, drawbacks, indications and contraindications based on composition and physical/mechanical properties. Clinicians are able to correlate this knowledge during case selection, manipulation and placement for better longevity of restorations.