Dear Readers,

When it comes to selecting the right dental material for the job, clinicians have many factors to consider. Durability, leakage, wear resistance, fracture resistance, biocompatibility—these are just a few of the considerations that come to mind. Factor in the wide array of materials available, as well as the specific application for which the material is being used, and the task can become quite daunting.

To help clinicians sort out what is becoming an increasingly complicated category of dentistry, Compendium has dedicated this issue to innovations in dental materials and considerations for choosing the optimal product. Included in this issue are a range of continuing education (CE) articles, case reports, clinical material reviews, as well as research, written by world-class clinicians who explore recent advances, applications, and implications for practice.

In our first CE article, the authors provide a thorough overview of self-etch and etch-and-rinse adhesives in clinical dentistry, reviewing the history of bonding agents and delineating various current adhesive strategies. Our second CE expounds on fixed prosthodontics provisional materials. It discusses the diversity of roles that provisional restorations play and the benefits of various types of temporary materials.

Other topics include resin cements, composite resins, ceramics, core build-up materials, and barrier membrane material. The overarching message to our readers is that in the ever-expanding world of dental materials, the right material can not only meet the needs of practitioners but also open up avenues to innovative techniques and procedures.

Speaking of new avenues, you will notice Compendium’s updated appearance. The redesign of our pages in this, our 34th year, is intended to provide a more contemporary layout, which we hope will support an enhanced reading—and learning—experience for our readers. Of course, our articles, both new and old, are available online as well at www.dentalaegis.com/cced.

Thank you for your readership, and enjoy this themed issue on materials. We welcome your feedback at lrose@aegiscomm.com.

Sincerely,

Louis F. Rose, DDS, MD
Editor-In-Chief

Michael R. Sesemann, DDS
Guest Editor