The distance between the tip of the curing light and the tooth is important, as the intensity of the light source is important. A minimum of 400-mW/cm2 is required. It is recommended that the tip be placed as close to the surface to be cured as is physically possible (within 1 to 2mm).
The intensity of light is inverselyproportional to the distance from the source. As a general rule each increment should be at most 1.5 to 2 mm thick. This will ensure complete penetration of the light and maximum curing of thecomposite at the bottom most portion of the cavity preparation.