Configuration factor

In dentistry, the configuration factor (also known as c-factor) refers to the number of bonded surfaces to unbonded surfaces in a Dental restoration/tooth preparation. For example. for a class I preparation there would be 5 bonded surfaces and only 1 unbonded surface; the net result would be a c-factor of 5. As the C factor increases so too does the retention power when using a Dental composite.

Internal stress can be reduced in a restoration subject to potentially reduce high disruptive contraction forces by using:

• "soft-start" polymerization instead of high-intensity light curing.
• incremental layering to reduce the effects of polymerization shrinkage; and
• a stress-breaking liner, such as filled adhesive, flowable composite, or resin-modified glass ionomers.

References

• Roberson, Theodore; Haymann, Harold; Swift, Edward (2002), Sturdevant's Art and science of Operative Dentistry, St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby