Finite element analysis of FGM dental crowns using phase-field approach.

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) - categorized in advanced composite materials - are specially designed to reduce the stresses and failure due to material mismatches. Advances in manufacturing techniques have brought FGMs into use in a variety of applications. However, the numerical analysis is still challenging due to the difficulties in simulations of non-homogeneous material domains of complex parts. Presenting a numerical procedure that both facilitates the implementation of material non-homogeneity in geometrically complex mediums, and increases the accuracy of the calculations using a phase-field approach, this study investigates the usage of FGMs in dental prostheses. For this purpose, a porcelain fused to metal (PFM) mandibular first molar FGM crown is simulated and analyzed under the maximum masticatory bite force, and eventually the results are compared to a PFM crown prepared conventionally.