Various forms of glass ionomers and compomers

In recent years conventional glass ionomers, resin-modified glass ionomers and polyacid-modified resin composites have attained increasing attention i n clinical practice. Concerning the restoration of posterior teeth these ma terials broadened the therapeutic armamentarium. Tooth-colored direct resto rative materials have been advocated with the hope that these materials can substitute for amalgam as the material of choice for posterior restoration s. The physical properties of these materials have been reported in numerou s studies but little is known about their clinical long-term performance to date. A literature review regarding the longevity of these particular kind s of tooth-colored restorative materials in different clinical indications follows.