This article presents a review of the literature with special focus on the performance of the dental bonding agents that are used today. The database PubMed was searched using the terms “dental adhesive” and among the selected articles priority was given to publications from the last five years. The collection of clinical data in the form of meta-analyses was included, thereby allowing the bonding properties of etch & rinse, self-etch and universal adhesives to be examined independently of the research group or the clinician performing the bonding. Relevant reviews and recent clinical trials were also considered. The existing evidence is presented and discussed for the three types of bonding agents. Etch & rinse and self-etch systems have been on the market for a longer period of time, hence their bonding properties can be confirmed by clinical data. Since the universal adhesives are relatively new, only a limited number of clinical studies with longer evaluation periods are available at this time. So far, the universal adhesives show good potential and seem to be the way forward in adhesive dentistry.