The dental composite includes a resin base and a combination of a short-cut fiber filler and a particulate filler. The short-cut fibers may be made of a glass or a polymer, and may have an average length of about 2 mm to about 6 mm. The particulate filler includes a ground structural filler, which consists of particles having an average particle size of between about 0.05 µm and about 0.5 µm, and a microfiller, which consists of particles having a mean particle size of about 0.04 µm or less. The cured dental composite provides high strength, an improved wear resistance, a dramatically improved fracture resistance and a high gloss retention in simulated extended clinical wear.
