Advances in operative dentistry and fixed prosthodontics.

The rapid developments in biomaterials has led not only to improved materials but also to the development of clinical techniques made possible by these advances. Adhesive dentistry remains one of the fastest changing fields and this will most likely continue well into the next decade. Patients' aesthetic awareness and, to some extent, concern about amalgam has produced a growing demand for posterior tooth-coloured restorations. Originally this was met by ceramo-metal crowns and subsequently by the development of posterior composite resins. Recent development of stronger ceramics and better luting have now made all-ceramic restorations possible in posterior sites. Several new techniques for cavity preparation are emerging as alternatives to the conventional handpiece while the quest for amalgam alternatives continues. As with all recent developments there are, by definition, few long-term clinical data yet available to allow a comprehensive evaluation of the relevant materials and techniques. This paper is a summary of the most significant recent advances in fixed prosthodontics and operative dentistry.