Biomechanical behavior of maxillary premolars with conservative and traditional endodontic cavities.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the effects of the configuration of endodontic cavities with parallel or divergent walls, versus traditional endodontic cavities, on stress distribution, fracture resistance, and fracture mode of maxillary premolars by using both fracture-strength and finite element tests. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Thirty-two maxillary first premolars were divided into four groups (n = 8), according to the type of endodontic cavities: without endodontic cavities (control); conservative; conservative with diverging walls; and traditional. After performing root canal treatment and restoration, fracture resistance was evaluated by oblique compressive load. The stress distribution was evaluated by nonlinear finite element analysis by means of micro-computed tomography, operated at 50 kV and 800 mA. The fracture resistance data were analyzed by statistical software. RESULTS: Higher stress concentration was observed on the coronal portion of the palatal cusp and the palatal root dentin. Stress concentration on the palatal root dentin was similar for all groups. The stress level on the palatal cusp and at the proximal crests was slightly increased in the traditional endodontic cavities group compared with conservative endodontic cavities. Stress distribution in restored teeth was similar to that of intact teeth. No significant differences were observed in the fracture resistance among different endodontic cavities' design (P = .32). All groups had values similar to those of the control group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the cavity design, conservative endodontic cavities that preserve marginal ridge integrity did not affect the resistance to fracture, failure mode, or stress distribution in maxillary premolars restored with composite resin. Endodontically treated teeth displayed biomechanical behavior similar to sound teeth.

Three-dimensional finite element stress analysis of teeth adjacent to a traumatized incisor.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dental trauma is the cause of several consequences to the injured tooth. However, the stresses and strains at adjacent teeth non-directly impacted as a possible cause of sequelae are still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution in incisors adjacent to an upper central incisor when it suffers a frontal impact in order to identify a potential explanation for sequelae in non-traumatized teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of the maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors and canines was created from a cone-beam scan of a patient with normal occlusion. Non-linear dynamic impact analysis was performed, simulating the right central incisor being impacted by a steel ball with a velocity of 10 m/s. A functional chewing load (100 N) on the palatal surface of the central incisor was simulated for comparison. Displacements, strains and modified von Mises stresses were calculated for the adjacent teeth. RESULTS: During impact on the central incisor, the adjacent teeth showed root displacement. Considerable stress concentrations were observed on the palatal surfaces, proximal and labial surfaces of teeth adjacent to the traumatized incisor. Stresses in the adjacent teeth were higher than stresses calculated during functional biting. Compressive stresses were concentrated at the proximal areas of the adjacent incisors. High levels of deformation were found in the root dentin of adjacent teeth during the traumatic event. CONCLUSIONS: A frontal impact on an anterior tooth generated stresses at the roots of adjacent teeth. These stresses may play a role in clinically observed sequelae of teeth adjacent to traumatized teeth.