A three dimensional (3D) finite element model of restored molar teeth and combination of restorative material

C. Özcan, Y. Josset, C. Muraille, P. Lestriez, R. Taiar

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) model of human mandibular molar was constructed to analyze the stresses applied to dental structures according to the nature of the obturation performed. This model aims to be more realistic with a construction that does not include an approximation on the congruence zones of the different materials. Image acquisition via a micro-CT scanner (µ-CT), followed by a segmentation of the different parts of the tooth, allows delimiting the different volumes. The reconstruct that does not use Boolean operations, avoids the approximations and gives a precise model. Class IIcavity (mesio cccluso distal -MOD) was restored with composite resin and dental ceramic materials, respectively. During occlusal load, a finite element analysis (F.E.) allowed to observe the stresses at the level of the tooth as a function of the type of the material of the restoration. It can thus be observed that the places under the greatest stresses are the surfaces in contact with the load, the surfaces of occlusal concavity as well as the surface of the cavo-superficial angle of the cavity. These zones are not due to the different approximations induced by the Boolean operations aiming to homogenize and to reduce the discrepancies due to the superposition of the different volumes representing the different materials of the tooth. The model offers a more realistic simulation of the dental organ.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.31, No.4 (2017), 12-18

Keywords: biomechanics; Finite element analysis (fea); mathematical modelling; restorative dentistry; restorative materials; stress analysis

Date published: 2018-01-10