Oblique Incremental Technique

Rationale

To minimize the adverse effects of high C-factor conditions, composite material must be applied in oblique increments that leave unbonded walls, avoiding simultaneous contact with more than two cavity walls.
By leaving other walls unbonded during the curing of each increment, the composite has a free surface to shrink towards, reducing internal stress.

Increment Thickness: Each layer should not exceed 2 mm in thickness to guarantee adequate light penetration and complete curing at the base of the increment.
Material Adaptation: Composite should be placed by pressing or condensing firmly against cavity surfaces, with no gaps left behind
- Avoid wiping or dragging the material, as the composite this can cause it to pull away from the cavity walls, creating voids at the tooth-restoration interface

The Initial Dentin Increment: Using an opaque dentin shade, apply the first increment obliquely, connecting the pulpal floor to the buccal or lingual wall
Building the Dentin Core: Place subsequent increments against the opposing wall, the pulpal floor, and the previously cured layer.
- Continue this alternating, oblique placement, ensuring no single uncured increment connects opposing tooth walls (e.g., buccal and lingual) simultaneously.
Creating Space for the Enamel Layer: Cease building the dentin core approximately 1.5-2mm short of the final cavosurface margins.
- This step reserves the necessary volume for the final enamel layer, allowing for the creation of natural translucency and sculpting of the occlusal anatomy.

If regions of undermined enamel exists, they must be filled first and correctly light-cured
The initial polymerization can be done by directing the curing light through the surrounding tooth structure (e.g., from the buccal or lingual). This attenuates the light, causing a slower, more controlled initial polymerization, reducing the shrinkage stress
The cure is then completed by directing the light from the occlusal surface to ensure full hardness.