CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A PROCESSED COMPOSITE RESTORATION: ADHESIVE AND FINISHING PROTOCOL

he first part of this discussion provided an overview of the general properties of the next-generation laboratory processed composite resins and described the preparation and laboratory fabrication of an onlay restoration. The second part of this discussion will describe the principles that should be adhered to in achieving long-term success with these restorations and it will explain the use of these principles in adhesive bonding and in finishing protocols. Optimizing the adhesion of restorative biomaterial to the mineralized hard tissues of the tooth also enhances the mechanical strength, marginal adaptation and seal while improving the reliability and longevity of the adhesive restoration. The search for a tooth-restorative interface to mimic the natural tooth condition has resulted in the establishment of an effective micromechanical bond betwee