A Review of the Current Literature in Operative Dentistry: An Annual Report from the Research Committee of the Academy of Operative Dentistry.

This report from the Research Committee of the Academy of Operative Dentistry brings together the most important research and clinical progress from 2024 to 2025. The review presents an evidence-based assessment of current advancements in research methodology, cariology, adhesion, materials science, and digital technologies. Methodological enhancements concentrate on the application of standardized reporting frameworks, including SPIRIT/CONSORT-Outcomes 2022 and CRIME-Q, to enhance the reproducibility and clinical applicability of restorative trials. In cariology, the biological paradigm shift underscores minimally invasive, risk-oriented management, with substantial evidence advocating for selective caries removal and vital pulp therapy to maintain pulpal vitality in permanent teeth. Materials research shows how resin composites have changed over time to include bioactive, universal-shade, and bulk-fill formulations that are meant to be efficient in the clinic and release therapeutic ions. The addition of digital workflows, such as intraoral scanning, artificial intelligence (AI) to help with diagnosis, and objective spectrophotometric shade mapping, is also changing traditional restorative protocols. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) introduces new ways to fabricate ceramics, but subtractive milling is still superior for making high-load restorations. These findings collectively highlight a pivotal shift towards precision-oriented, biologically integrated restorative care aimed at enhancing long-term clinical outcomes.