New materials and applications in adhesion are profoundly changing the way dentistry is delivered. Finally, information about these exciting advances is accessible to clinicians and researchers in all fields of dentistry.

Based on the work of Bounocore more than 40 years ago, the dental profession established adhesive materials and techniques that transformed the practice of dentistry. To date, bonding techniques have been restricted to the tooth hard tissues, enamel, and dentin, which have obvious applications in operative and preventive dentistry as well as in esthetic and pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and orthodontics. The current development of adhesive techniques for soft tissues and slow-releasing agents will expand applications to periodontics and oral surgery as well. Scientifically sound, peer-reviewed articles explore the latest innovations in this emerging field.