[Currently Recommended Restorative Materials in Modern Conservative Dentistry].

Conservative treatment which restores the function, aesthetics and protects remaining tooth structure, and what is the most important, the viability of the tooth pulp, is still needed. Dental fillings replace specialized tissues of the tooth that have been lost due to caries or injury. Any decision concerning the use of a particular restorative material should be individualized and based on the competence regarding the composition, properties and characteristics of the specific restorative material. This requires continuous updating of knowledge about available dental materials as well as education of patients who, according to actual models of dental care, should be active partners in the therapeutic process. The selection of restorative materials is often related to financial abilities of the patients, and more generally to the economic model of organized health care in a particular country. Nowadays, amalgam is increasingly dislodged by adhesive materials which permit to save more tooth structure and allow to preserve natural teeth for a longer time. In the nearest future we can expect further development of minimally invasive techniques and improvements of restorative materials, especially their mechanical properties like strength and wear resistance as well as biocompatibility. The article presents restorative materials used in modern dentistry.