The evolution of aesthetic restorative materials for inlays and onlays: a review

Composite and ceramic restorations are well-accepted treatment modalities for anterior as well as posterior regions, and numerous systems are available. This article presents the historical development of tooth-colored restorations from their incipience in 1882 to the second generation laboratory composites of today. The causes of failures in the early ceramics are discussed, and the search to delineate the optimal qualities of ceramics is outlined, listing the improvements of each new generation. The inherent obstacle of ceramic brittleness is reviewed along with the specific requirements of preparation. The learning objective of this article is to present the development of tooth-colored restorations in a concise form and indicate the characteristics of the materials currently available.