The effect of filling technique on the cuspal strain, polymerization shrinkage stress, enamel crack formation and depth of cure of restored molars

•Filling technique influenced the cuspal strain, shrinkage stress polymerization, and enamel crack formation.•Horizontal filling technique resulted in the highest shrinkage stresses.•The lingual cusp had higher cuspal strain than buccal cusp for the Horizontal and NEDS technique.•Incremental techniques increased the depth of cure.