Materials and Techniques for Direct Restorations

Nate Lawson, DMD PhD

Associate Professor and the Director of the Division of Biomaterials

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry

Posterior composite restorations remain the bread-and-butter procedure of many general dentists. Although this procedure may seem trivial, there are many clinical factors which lead to a long-lasting restoration, including diagnosis, isolation, caries removal, cavity preparation, use of liner, matrix and wedge placement, bonding technique, composite placement, and finishing and polishing. This course aims to review the techniques for each of these steps based on current evidence.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss treatment guidelines for interproximal caries and caries removal endpoints.
2. Discover materials and techniques to promote a long lasting adhesive bond and create a well-adapted restoration.
3. Analyze matrix utilization and contouring instruments to achieve a tight and well-contoured contact.

This meeting is offered both in-person and virtually! Virtual meetings can be watched via livestream or watched later, but must be watched within 5 business days with a quiz completed to receive CE credit.

Dr. Nate Lawson is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Division of Biomaterials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. He graduated from the UAB School of Dentistry in 2011 and obtained his PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2012. He has published over a 100 peer-reviewed articles and another 200 research abstracts and trade articles. He previously served on the ADA Council of Scientific Affairs and currently serves on the editorial board of several journals, including the Journal of Adhesive Dentistry and the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. He also works as a general dentist in the UAB Faculty Practice.