The composite issue

My (nearly) 30 years in clinical practice has coincided almost exactly with a ‘minimally invasive revolution’ in the field of restorative dentistry. In part, this has been led by innovations in adhesive technology and by continuous advances in the use of direct composite to treat a wide range of clinical problems.

Having placed only one (very poor!) posterior composite as an undergraduate, it was a delight to be invited to write an ‘update’ paper entirely devoted to that subject and to guest edit the first ever ‘completely composite’ edition of Dental Update.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the authors who have contributed to this edition. They were hand-picked as representatives of various stages in the evolution of direct composite techniques: from legendary pioneers Adrian Shortall and Professors Trevor Burke and Nairn Wilson, to the youngest generation of ‘composite natives’, represented by Richard, Andrew, Dipesh and cover illustrator Minesh Patel, who have raised the standard of British direct aesthetic dentistry to an art form.