A new proposal to optimize the occlusal margin in direct resin composite restorations of posterior teeth

Modern operative dentistry provides practitioners of esthetic dentistry the means for performing direct restorations in a virtually imperceptible way. However, this attribute of resin composite can cause difficulties because the absence of contrast between the tooth structure and the restoration can impede visualization of the cavity limits. The purpose of this article is to highlight some operative steps that, when appropriately performed, will facilitate the building of direct resin composite restorations in posterior teeth, significantly reducing the possibility of restorative overextension.