Optimizing quality and safety of resin‐based materials need coherent strategies. Proper handling and polymerization increase the rate of conversion and thus minimize the content of residual monomers. Measures to reduce biofilm accumulation at the tooth‐restoration interface could prevent or reduce the most common reason for restoration failure, recurrent caries.

All dental restorations have a limited lifespan and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. It is important to have in mind that the longevity of gold restorations have not been shown to be superior to that of resin composite, which should still be the first material of choice. However, gold inlays could be considered when the right indications are present.

Restorative dental treatment still lays claim to a large proportion of dentists’ working day. After the phase-out of amalgam as a restorative material, composite resin has become the dominating material of choice among dentists.

The ages of 6,761 restorations replaced in permanent teeth, 6,088 in adults > or =19 years of age and 673 in adolescents < or =18 years, were available for analyses. The results showed that the median age of amalgam restorations in adults was 11 years and that of resin-based composite restorations 8 years.