Direct Restorative Materials: Properties and Applications

This book reviews the clinical application of direct restorative materials based on their physical, mechanical, thermal, esthetic, biological, adhesive, chemical, and handling properties. It emphasizes that successful restorative treatment depends on selecting materials according to clinical requirements, patient factors, and material characteristics. The book discusses the properties, clinical significance, advantages, disadvantages, indications, and contraindications of direct filling gold, dental amalgam, glass ionomer cement, and composite resin. Direct filling gold provides excellent durability and marginal adaptation; amalgam offers high strength for posterior restorations; glass ionomer cement provides chemical adhesion and fluoride release; and composite resin combines superior esthetics with adhesive, minimally invasive dentistry. The dissertation concludes that understanding material properties enables evidence-based selection, resulting in durable, functional, biologically compatible, and esthetically successful restorations.