What is the immediate step after placing the rubber dam while restoring a class III composite resin?

After placing the rubber dam when restoring a Class III composite resin, the immediate step is to place a mylar strip between contacts. This is essential for achieving a proper restoration. The mylar strip serves as a matrix to recreate the natural contours of the tooth and helps ensure that the restoration can be properly shaped and polished, allowing for correct proximal contacts with adjacent teeth.

Using a mylar strip allows for a smooth surface and minimizes the risk of the composite material bonding to the adjacent tooth, which is crucial when working in a tight space often encountered in Class III restorations. This step comes before applying other materials like bonding agents or etchants since the strip needs to be in place to accurately guide the application of the composite and protect the integrity of the adjacent tooth structure during the procedure.

While selecting the shade, applying the etchant, and applying the bonding agent are also important steps in the restoration process, they generally follow after the mylar strip is secured to ensure that the restoration is completed with precision and optimal aesthetics.