Stress distribution in root filled teeth restored with various post and core techniques: effect of post length and crown height.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate interfacial stress distribution in restored root filled teeth with various post lengths and crown heights. METHODOLOGY: Three-dimensional mathematical models of a root filled mandibular premolar tooth were constructed. Parts of the tooth structures were replaced with ceramic crowns having three crown heights incorporating, either a cast post and core or a resin post and cores with fibre post or metallic post with four post lengths. Finite element linear analysis was performed to calculate equivalent and shear stress distribution at the interfaces between the teeth and post and cores under mesiodistal symmetrical boundary conditions and an oblique static load of 400 N. RESULTS: For the resin post and core with fibre and metallic posts, shear stress at the interface was greater in the cervical area than the post area, depending on the crown height. The resin post and core with metallic post had lower shear stress at the interface of cervical area than that of the fibre post model; however, the metallic post models produced a high concentration of shear stress at the interface between the post and resin composite. On the other hand, for the cast post and core, the shear stress at the interface was mainly produced in the post end area, which increased with decrease of post length. CONCLUSIONS: For the resin post and core, bonding integrity to the cervical area would play a critical role in the survival of the restored tooth, whereas for the cast post and core, the bond of the post would be essential.