This in vitro study evaluated the effect of different polymerization modes and the presence of resin composite on the temperature rise (TR) in human dentin of different thicknesses. For this purpose, 90 specimens were assigned to 30 groups (n=3): five polymerization modes (1-conventional; 2-soft-start; 3-high intensity; 4-ramp cure: progressive and high intensity; 5-high intensity with the tip of the light cure at a distance of 1.3 cm for 10 seconds and the tip leaned in the sample); two levels of resin composite presence (absence or presence of resin composite) and three dentin thicknesses (1, 2, 3 mm). During polymerization, temperature was measured by a digital laser thermometer (CMSS2000-SL/SKF). Three-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were performed. There were statistical differences in TR among polymerization modes, presence of resin composite and dentin thicknesses. Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that 1) conventional and high intensity polymerization modes presented lower TR means, and it was statistically different from soft start, distanced tip and ramp curing polymerization modes; 2) the presence of resin composite showed a statistically significant reduction TR means and 3) the thicker the dentin, the less the temperature rise.305602607