Stresses in Teeth with External Cervical Resorption Defects Restored with Different Biomimetic Cements: A Finite Element Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the stress distributions in teeth with simulated external cervical resorption defects restored with different restorative materials and identified areas of high stress concentration. METHODS: A maxillary central incisor created in a scanned model using HyperWorks software (Altair Engineering Inc, Troy, MI) served as the control. External cervical resorption defects based on Shanon Patel's classification were created (1Bd/2Bd/3Bd) in the scanned model. The defects were restored using mineral trioxide aggregate, Biodentine, glass ionomer cement, and Bioaggregate. On all the models, a force of 100 N was applied on the palatal aspect 2 mm incisal to the cingulum directed at 45° along the long axis of the tooth. RESULTS: The stresses generated in dentin and cementum are less, with a restorative material having a high Young's modulus. For the 1Bd defect, MTA and Bioaggregate showed least stresses in dentin and cementum, respectively, whereas Biodentine had consistently lower stresses in dentin and cementum. Larger defects like 2Bd and 3Bd restored with Bioaggregate exhibited minimum stresses in dentin and cementum. CONCLUSIONS: Bioaggregate and Biodentine replace dentin with maximum stress and maximum strain. Elastic moduli similar to or higher than dentin are preferred for restoring cervical third resorptive lesions of the tooth.