Advances in tooth-colored materials and adhesive technology have expanded thescope of restorative dentistry. Fortunately, this progress has come at exactly the right time. Patients today want their dentistry to be more esthetic and less invasive. Also, today's patients are living longer, keeping their teeth, and placing higher value on oral health. Although dentists learn to apply inlays and onlays in dental school, it has been stated that many, if not most, do not do these restorations after entering practice. At the very least, their conservative nature, when compared with the preparation for full-coverage crowns, "banks" the tooth structure for future use. These benefits, combined with the durability and esthetics of the indirect composite or ceramic inlay or onlay restoration, are very important to patients and should continue to direct the nature of restorative dentistry.