How to Cope
While polymerization shrinkage can’t be eliminated completely, there are a number of ways to reduce stress. However, many of these strategies, from layering to soft-start curing, are dependent on the properties of the composite.
1-3 Traditional universal composites, for instance,
require incremental placement to reduce shrinkage and stress – but this technique can also increase the potential for voids, poor adaptation and contamination from blood or saliva. Ultimately, reducing shrinkage stress comes down to choosing the right material, which should in turn simplify placement and cavity prep. For example, a modern bulk fill, such as
3M™ Filtek™ One Bulk Fill Restorative, eliminates the need for layering techniques and enables one-step placement because of its low-stress monomers and high depth of cure.