RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the stress distribution and offset of dental and periodontal tissues imposed by changes in inner diameter of pulp cavity. METHODS: Six models of maxillary second bicuspid tooth with different inner diameter of pulp cavity were established, including: (1) calcificated pulp without pulp chamberi (2) mostly calcificated pulp chamber with inward reduction of 0. 5 mm in normal pulp cavity; (3) initially calcificated pulp chamber with inward reduction of 0.25 mm in normal pulp cavity; (4) normal pulp cavity; (5) initially absorbed pulp chamber with outward expansion of 0.25 mm in normal pulp cavity; (6) mostly absorbed pulp chamber with outward expansion of 0.5 mm in normal pulp cavity. Vertical and oblique forces with 160 N were loaded on the central fossa, respectively, in order to calculate the stress distribution of dental and periodontal tissues and the maximum incipient offset of the teeth. RESULTS: With loaded vertical and oblique forces on central fossa, increased stress distribution of periodontal tissues and maximum incipient offset of teeth were found in all of the models, which increased with the increase of pulp cavity. CONCLUSION: The change in inner diameter of pulp cavity has an impact on the stress distribution of periodontal tissues and maximum incipient offset of the second upper bicuspid teeth.