Compression Moulding Technique: A Silicone-Guided Modification of the Injection Moulding Workflow for Direct Composite Restorations

Background/Objectives: Injection moulding has become a predictable technique for transferring a diagnostic wax-up to direct composite restorations. However, conventional workflows that rely exclusively on injectable flowable composites may have limitations in material handling, mechanical performance, and the dimensional stability of the transparent silicone index. The purpose of this technical note was to describe a silicone-guided modification of the injection moulding workflow, referred to as the compression moulding technique, and to illustrate its clinical application in three representative cases. Methods: The proposed workflow combines a dual-layer silicone index consisting of a transparent polyvinyl siloxane material supported by a high-hardness bite-registration silicone with a preheated medium-viscosity resin composite. Following digital planning and diagnostic wax-up, the composite is positioned within the silicone index and adapted to the prepared tooth surfaces by controlled compression. Three clinical cases with different restorative indications were included to demonstrate the technique’s versatility. Results: In all three cases, the proposed workflow enabled accurate transfer of the diagnostic wax-up while providing improved stabilization of the transparent silicone index during composite placement. The combination of controlled compression, a rigid supporting silicone, and preheated paste composite facilitated material adaptation, minimized manual sculpting, and produced predictable esthetic outcomes in a minimally invasive chairside procedure. Conclusions: The compression moulding technique represents a practical modification of the conventional injection moulding workflow for direct composite restorations. The proposed protocol may improve index stability, material handling, and clinical versatility while maintaining the advantages of silicone-guided restorative procedures. Because the present article is intended to describe a technical workflow supported by representative clinical cases, further prospective clinical studies with long-term follow-up are required before conclusions regarding clinical superiority or long-term performance can be drawn.