Modulated photoactivation of composite restoration: measurement of cuspal movement using holographic interferometry.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of modulated photoactivation on cuspal movement. Eight class II MOD composite restorations were analyzed under various photoactivation protocols in a real-time manner using holographic interferometry. During the first photoactivation protocol, the composite restoration was illuminated for 200 s continuously. In the second protocol, the polymerization lamp was first turned on for 5 s, then turned off for 120 s, and again turned on for a final 195 s. In both protocols, radiant exposure was the same. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in cuspal deflection was found for two-step irradiation (average value of total cuspal deflection was 5.03 ± 0.62 µm) compared to continuous irradiation (average value of total cuspal deflection was 5.95 ± 0.65 µm). The two-step photoactivation protocol was found preferable, since it resulted in a significantly lower cuspal deflection (11% lower, compared to the continuous illumination).