The method of curing a dental composite includes forming a composite filling (16) in a cavity (14) of a tooth (12) surface by filling the cavity (14) with an uncured composite (16) and determining the geometry of the composite filling (16), including locations of interfaces (22) between the composite filling (16) and the tooth (12) surface. The method further includes calculating a predetermined polymerization pattern for minimizing shrinkage stress at the interfaces (22), based on the geometry of the composite filling (16), and scanning a focused laser beam (30) across the composite filling (16) in accordance with the predetermined polymerization pattern to selectively and progressively cure the composite filling (16).
