The use of adhesive materials to restore non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) has become the standard practice. Until recently, the most reliable material for restoring NCCL is glass ionomer cement, but the esthetics can be problematic. This study compared the retention of a self-etching adhesive, Clearfil SE Bond, with Clearfil ST resin composite (SE), with the phosphoric acid-etch single bottle adhesive Single Bond with A110 resin composite (SB) and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement, Fuji II LC, (FJ). Ninety-two restorations in 20 patients (mean age 61 years) were placed. The teeth were restored randomly and manufacturers' instructions were followed. Patients were recalled at 6 months, 1, 2 and 3 years and the restorations were evaluated for marginal staining. The restorations were photographed at baseline and at recall periods. At one year, 80 restorations were available for evaluation; at 2 years, 65 restorations were evaluated and at 3 years, 55 restorations were evaluated. The cumulative retention rates at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years, respectively, were SE: 97%, 93%, 90%; SB: 86%, 77%, 77%; FJ: 100%, 100%, 97%. At 3 years, RM-GIC performed the best, followed by Clearfil SE Bond/Clearfil ST. Single Bond/A110's performance was significantly less than the other 2 materials (p = 0.012).