The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of modulated photoactivation on cuspal movement. Eight class II MOD composite restorations were analyzed under various photoactivation protocols in a real-time manner using holographic interferometry. During the first photoactivation protocol, the composite restoration was illuminated for 200 s continuously. In the second protocol, the polymerization lamp was first turned on for 5 s, then turned off for 120 s, and again turned on for a final 195 s. In both protocols, radiant exposure was the same. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in cuspal deflection was found for two-step irradiation (average value of total cuspal deflection was 5.03 ± 0.62 µm) compared to continuous irradiation (average value of total cuspal deflection was 5.95 ± 0.65 µm). The two-step photoactivation protocol was found preferable, since it resulted in a significantly lower cuspal deflection (11% lower, compared to the continuous illumination).