Defective dental restorations: to repair or not to repair? Part 1: direct composite restorations.

The presentation of patients with failing dental restorations that exhibit minor defects is a common clinical situation in everyday dental practice. The repair of such restorations, rather than replacement, is increasingly considered to be a viable alternative to the replacement of the defective restoration. This first of two papers considers indications and techniques for the repair of defective direct composite restorations. It is possible that some dental practitioners are unaware of the option of repair rather than replacement of composite restorations. This article provides an overview of contemporary knowledge and understanding of restoration repair in the clinical management of defective composite restorations.