In the past 10 years, many new components were synthesized and evaluated for an application in enameldentin adhesives and direct composite restoratives. New bisacrylamide cross-linkers with improved hydrolytic stability and new strongly acidic polymerizable phosphonic acids and dihydrogen phosphates, as well as novel photoinitator systems, in combination with the implementation of novel application devices, have significantly improved the performance of the current enameldentin adhesives. The currently used resins for direct composite restoratives are mainly based on methacrylate chemistry to this day. A continuous improvement of the properties of current composites was achieved with the use of new tailor-made methacrylate cross-linkers, new additives, and photoinitiators as well as tailor-made fillers. Nowadays, dental adhesives and methacrylate-based direct restorative materials have found wide-spread acceptance. Nevertheless, future developments in the field of dental adhesives and direct composite restoratives will focus on improving durability and biocompatibility as well as the development of materials with a broader application spectrum and of smart adhesives or composites. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012