The influence of different core material on the FEA-determined stress distribution in dental crowns

In silico nonlinear dynamic finite-element analysis for biaxial flexural strength testing of CAD/CAM materials

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to establish and assess the validity of in silico models of biaxial flexural strength (BFS) tests to reflect in vitro physical properties obtained from two commercially available computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic blocks and one CAD/CAM resin composite block.

METHODS

In vitro three-point bending and BFS tests were conducted for three CAD/CAM materials (n = 10): Katana Zirconia ST10 (raw material: super-translucent multilayered zirconia, ST10; Kuraray Noritake Dental, Niigata, Japan), Katana Zirconia HT10 (raw material: highly translucent multilayered zirconia, HT10; Kuraray Noritake Dental), and Katana Avencia N (AN; Kuraray Noritake Dental). Densities, flexural moduli, and fracture strains were obtained from the in vitro three-point bending test and used as an input for an in silico nonlinear finite element analysis. The maximum principal stress (MPS) distribution was obtained from an in silico BFS analysis.

RESULTS

The elastic moduli of AN, HT10, and ST10 were 6.513, 40.039, and 32.600 GPa, respectively. The in silico fracture pattern of ST10 observed after the in silico evaluation was similar to the fracture pattern observed after the in vitro testing. The MPS was registered in the center of the tensile surface for all three specimens. The projections of the supporting balls were in the form of a triple asymmetry.

CONCLUSIONS

The in silico approach established in this study provided an acceptable reflection of in vitro physical properties, and will be useful to assess biaxial flexural properties of CAD/CAM materials without wastage of materials.

Cement Choice and the Fatigue Performance of Monolithic Zirconia Restorations

This study investigated the fatigue failure load of simplified monolithic yttria partially stabilized zirconia polycrystal restorations cemented to a dentin-like substrate using different luting systems. Disc-shaped ceramic (Zenostar T, 10 mm Ø × 0.7 mm thick) and dentin-like substrate (10 mm Ø × 2.8 mm thick) were produced and randomly allocated into eight groups, without or with thermocycling (TC=5-55°C/12,000×): "cement" (RelyX Luting 2 - glass ionomer cement [Ion], [Ion/TC]; RelyX U200 - self-adhesive resin cement [Self], [Self/TC]; Single Bond Universal+RelyX Ultimate - MDP-containing adhesive + resin cement [MDPAD + RC], [MDP-AD + RC/TC]; ED Primer II+Panavia F 2.0 - Primer + MDP-containing resin cement [PR + MDP-RC], [PR + MDP-RC/TC])). Each luting system was used as recommended by the manufacturer. Staircase methodology (20 Hz; 250,000 cycles) was applied for obtaining the fatigue failure loads. Fractographic characteristics were also assessed. At baseline, the Ion group presented the lowest fatigue load, although it was statistically similar to the Self group. The resin-based cement systems presented the highest fatigue performance, with the Ion group being only statistically equal to the Self group. Thermocycling influenced the groups differently. After aging, the MDP-AD + RC presented the highest mean, followed by the PR + MDP-RC and Self groups, while the Ion group had the lowest mean. Fractographic analysis depicted all failures as radial cracks starting at the zirconia intaglio surface. The luting system with MDP-containing adhesive applied prior to the resin cement presented the highest fatigue failure load after aging, presenting the best predictability of stable performance. Despite this, monolithic zirconia presents high load-bearing capability regardless of the luting agent.

Evaluation of Stress Distribution and Force in External Hexagonal Implant: A 3-D Finite Element Analysis

Purpose: To analyze the stress distribution and the direction of force in external hexagonal implant with crown in three different angulations. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 samples of geometric models were used to analyze von Mises stress and direction of force with 0-, 5-, and 10-degree lingual tilt. Von Mises stress and force distribution were evaluated at nodes of hard bone, and finite element analysis was performed using ANSYS 12.1 software. For calculating stress distribution and force, we categorized and labeled the groups as Implant A1, Implant A2, and Implant A3, and Implant B1, Implant B2, and Implant B3 with 0-, 5-, and 10-degree lingual inclinations, respectively. Inter- and intra-group comparisons were performed using ANOVA test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In all the three models, overall maximum stress was found in implant model A3 on the implant surface (86.61), and minimum was found on model A1 in hard bone (26.21). In all the three models, the direction of force along three planes was maximum in DX (0.01025) and minimum along DZ (0.002) direction with model B1. Conclusion: Maximum von Mises stress and the direction of force in axial direction was found at the maximum with the implant of 10 degrees angulation. Thus, it was evident that tilting of an implant influences the stress concentration and force in external hex implants.

Transmission of violet and blue light and current light units through glass-reinforced ceramics with different thicknesses

Purpose To evaluate the effect of glass-reinforced ceramics (leucite and lithium disilicate) with different thicknesses (1, 2, and 3 mm) on the wavelength and irradiance spectrum of blue and violet lights. In addition, the effect of the ceramics on four current light-curing units (LCUs) was evaluated: a halogen lamp, a single peak LED, and two multi-peak LEDs.Methods Ceramic discs of different thicknesses (1, 2, and 3 mm) were obtained from computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) blocks. The irradiance, radiant exposure, and emission spectrum of the four LCUs were analyzed using a spectrometer-based instrument. To evaluate the violet and blue lights, a specific device that provides a narrow emission spectrum was used.Results The ceramics reduced the irradiance of all the tested LCUs. However, the wavelength of the transmitted light was only altered slightly. The effect of leucite and lithium disilicate varied according to the type of LCU and thickness of the ceramic disc evaluated .Conclusions From the results, it could be concluded that the thickness of the leucite and lithium disilicate ceramic significantly reduced the irradiance of the light emitted by the LCUs, with minimal changes on the wavelength spectrum of the lights. The effects of the ceramic on irradiance and transmitted wavelengths of the blue and violet lights was slightly different.

Finite element analysis of individual taenioglossan radular teeth (Mollusca)

Molluscs are a highly successful group of invertebrates characterised by a specialised feeding organ called the radula. The diversity of this structure is associated with distinct feeding strategies and ecological niches. However, the precise function of the radula (each tooth type and their arrangement) remains poorly understood. Here for the first time, we use a quantitative approach, Finite-Element-Analysis (FEA), to test hypotheses regarding the function of particular taenioglossan tooth types. Taenioglossan radulae are of special interest, because they are comprised of multiple teeth that are regionally distinct in their morphology. For this study we choose the freshwater gastropod species Spekia zonata, endemic to Lake Tanganyika, inhabiting and feeding on algae attached to rocks. As a member of the African paludomid species flock, the enigmatic origin and evolutionary relationships of this species has received much attention. Its chitinous radula comprises several tooth types with distinctly different shapes. We characterise the tooth's position, material properties and attachment to the radular membrane and use this data to evaluate 18 possible FEA scenarios differing in the above parameters. Our estimations of stress and strain indicate different functional loads for different teeth. We posit that the central and lateral teeth are best suitable for scratching substrate loosening ingesta, whereas the marginals are best suited for gathering food particles. Our successful approach and workflow are readily applicable to other mollusc species.

3D finite element model based on CT images of tooth

Aim: This study aimed the description of a protocol to acquire a 3D finite element (FE) model of a human maxillary central incisor tooth restored with ceramic crowns with enhanced geometric detail through an easy-to-use and low-cost concept and validate it through finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: A human maxillary central incisor was digitalized using a Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) scanner. The resulted tooth CBCT DICOM files were imported into a free medical imaging software (Invesalius) for 3D surface/geometric reconstruction in stereolithographic file format (STL). The STL file was exported to a computer-aided-design (CAD) software (SolidWorks), converted into a 3D solid model and edited to simulate different materials for full crown restorations. The obtained model was exported into a FEA software to evaluate the influence of different core materials (zirconia - Zr, lithium disilicate - Ds or palladium/silver - Ps) on the mechanical behavior of the restorations under a 100 N applied to the palatal surface at 135 degrees to the long axis of the tooth, followed by a load of 25.5 N perpendicular to the incisal edge of the crown. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of maximum principal stress (ceramic veneer) and maximum principal strain (core) were obtained. Results: The Zr model presented lower stress and strain concentration in the ceramic veneer and core than Ds and Ps models. For all models, the stresses were concentrated in the external surface of the veneering ceramic and strains in the internal surface of core, both near to the loading area. Conclusion: The described procedure is a quick, inexpensive and feasible protocol to obtain a highly detailed 3D FE model, and thus could be considered for future 3D FE analysis. The results of numerical simulation confirm that stiffer core materials result in a reduced stress concentration in ceramic veneer.

Stress Distribution on Root Dentin Analogous to Natural Teeth with Various Retentive Channels Design on the Face of the Root with Minimal or No Coronal Tooth Structure: A Finite Element Analysis

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate post-core design on Stress distribution in maxillary central incisor with various designs retentive channels placed on the face of the root with no remaining coronal tooth structure.

Materials and Methods:

3 dimensional finite element model of a maxillary central incisor was developed and seven other study modes were developed. Tooth was scanned using CBCT unit, with reverse engineering software. 3D wire mesh, with ten node tetrahedral element, developed was transferred to ANASYS software. Composite was used for post-core-crown as post endodontic restoration. Mechanical properties were assigned to each component for FEA. All the materials were assumed to be isotropic, linearly elastic, homogenous and tightly bonded. A load of 100N were applied from vertical, horizontal and lateral oblique from incisal and palatal surface respectively.

Results:

Analysis revealed that stresses were concentrated at the point of load application on crown(vertical(V) 14.35MPa, horizontal(H) 27.04 MPa and lateral oblique(L)13.75MPa) and depending on the post core design the stresses were homogenous evenly distributed over the root dentin, core and least over the post. There was variation in stress distribution under vertical horizontal and lateral oblique load.

Conclusion:

Teeth with no remaining coronal structure and by placing retentive channels on the face of the root will enable homogenous stress distribution, promote mechanical retention and stability to the post core crown post endodontic restoration.

Residual strain mapping through pair distribution function analysis of the porcelain veneer within a yttria partially stabilised zirconia dental prosthesis

OBJECTIVE

Residually strained porcelain is influential in the early onset of failure in Yttria Partially Stabilised Zirconia (YPSZ) - porcelain dental prosthesis. In order to improve current understanding it is necessary to increase the spatial resolution of residual strain analysis in these veneers.

METHODS

Few techniques exist which can resolve residual stress in amorphous materials at the microscale resolution required. For this reason, recent developments in Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis of X-ray diffraction data of dental porcelain have been exploited. This approach has facilitated high-resolution (70μm) quantification of residual strain in a YPSZ-porcelain dental prosthesis. In order to cross-validate this technique, the sequential ring-core focused ion beam and digital image correlation approach was implemented at a step size of 50μm. This semi-destructive technique exploits microscale strain relief to provide quantitative estimates of the near-surface residual strain.

RESULTS

The two techniques were found to show highly comparable results. The residual strain within the veneer was found to be primarily tensile, with the highest magnitude stresses located at the YPSZ-porcelain interface where failure is known to originate. Oscillatory tensile and compressive stresses were also found in a direction parallel to the interface, likely to be induced by the multiple layering used during fabrication.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study provides the insights required to improve prosthesis modelling, to develop new processing routes that minimise residual stress and ultimately to reduce prosthesis failure rates. The PDF approach also offers a powerful new technique for microscale strain quantification in amorphous materials.

Structural Integrity Evaluation of Large MOD Restorations Fabricated With a Bulk-Fill and a CAD/CAM Resin Composite Material

AIMS

To evaluate the effect of two composite restorative techniques (direct bulk fill vs indirect CAD/CAM) on the fracture resistance and mode of fracture of extended mesio-occlusal-distal (MOD) cavity preparations.

METHODS

Fifty-one sound human mandibular third molars were divided into three groups (n=17). Extended bucco-lingual MOD cavities were prepared. Teeth in group 1 were restored with a bulk-fill resin composite (Filtek Bulk-Fill Posterior Restorative), teeth in group 2 were restored with composite computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) inlays (Lava Ultimate), and teeth in group 3 served as control and remained intact. All specimens were submitted to thermocycling, and a fracture resistance test was performed using a Universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min). Mode of fracture was classified into five types. One-way analysis of variance and the Duncan test were used to analyze the fracture load data at a significance level of α = 0.05. A chi-square test was used for the analysis of fracture mode between the restorative groups.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed significant differences in fracture resistance among the experimental groups. The teeth restored with the bulk-fill composite exhibited lower fracture resistance (1285.3±655.0 N) when compared to the teeth restored with the composite CAD/CAM inlays (1869.8±529.4 N) (p<0.05). Mode of fracture showed the same distribution between the restorative groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both types of restorations failed at loads larger than those found in the oral cavity, the CAD/CAM composite inlays increased the fracture resistance of teeth with large MOD cavities when compared to direct bulk-fill composite restorations. The majority of fracture types were intraorally repairable for both restorative techniques.

The effect of resistance grooves on the fracture toughness of zirconia-based crowns from mono and cyclic loading

Objective:

Prosthetic molar crowns in service are subjected to chewing loads, which cause a shift or dislodgment. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the addition of resistance grooves to the proximal surfaces of the abutment teeth would enhance the fracture resistance of the zirconia crowns and to compare between the patterns of cracks development on the zirconia crowns after the application of mono loading versus cyclic loading forces.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-six all-ceramic zirconia cored crowns were prepared on the same abutment. Resistance grooves were added to the mesial and distal surfaces of 16 abutments. Before testing, all specimens subjected to thermal aging. Two groups of crowns were then subjected to cyclic axial and lateral forces for 1,250,000 cycles in aqueous conditions. Two groups of samples were also tested in monoloading fashion.

Results:

The crack pattern between mono and cyclic loading were compared. The crown fracture resistance was compared in the two types of abutments, with and without grooves. The results confirmed that the grooves addition had no effect on critical conditions to initiate failure in the case of mono loading. In cyclic loading, grooves addition increased the critical loads in the order of two. Failure patterns and location were obtained.

Conclusions:

The results showed that the location of retention grooves halted the failure in the surfaces where it was located in all loading mechanisms used in this study.

3D statistical failure analysis of monolithic dental ceramic crowns

For adhesively retained ceramic crown of various types, it has been clinically observed that the most catastrophic failures initiate from the cement interface as a result of radial crack formation as opposed to Hertzian contact stresses originating on the occlusal surface. In this work, a 3D failure prognosis model is developed for interface initiated failures of monolithic ceramic crowns. The surface flaw distribution parameters determined by biaxial flexural tests on ceramic plates and point-to-point variations of multi-axial stress state at the intaglio surface are obtained by finite element stress analysis. They are combined on the basis of fracture mechanics based statistical failure probability model to predict failure probability of a monolithic crown subjected to single-cycle indentation load. The proposed method is verified by prior 2D axisymmetric model and experimental data. Under conditions where the crowns are completely bonded to the tooth substrate, both high flexural stress and high interfacial shear stress are shown to occur in the wall region where the crown thickness is relatively thin while high interfacial normal tensile stress distribution is observed at the margin region. Significant impact of reduced cement modulus on these stress states is shown. While the analyses are limited to single-cycle load-to-failure tests, high interfacial normal tensile stress or high interfacial shear stress may contribute to degradation of the cement bond between ceramic and dentin. In addition, the crown failure probability is shown to be controlled by high flexural stress concentrations over a small area, and the proposed method might be of some value to detect initial crown design errors.

Fitting accuracy and fracture resistance of crowns using a hybrid zirconia frame made of both porous and dense zirconia

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fitting accuracy and fracture resistance of crowns using a hybrid zirconia frame made of both porous and dense zirconia. Commercial semi-sintered zirconia, sintered dense zirconia and sintered hybrid zirconia were used. Sintered zirconia was milled using the CAD/CAM system, and semi-sintered zirconia was milled and sintered to fabricate molar crown frames. Completed frames were veneered with tooth-colored porcelain. The marginal and internal gaps between frames/crowns and abutments were measured. Each crown specimen was subjected to a fracture test. There were no significant differences in marginal and internal gap among all the frames and crowns. The crown with the hybrid zirconia frame had a 31-35% greater fracture load than that with the commercial or dense zirconia frame (p<0.01). This suggests that the all-ceramic crowns with a hybrid zirconia frame have a high fracture resistance.

Comparative study of mechanical properties of dental restorative materials and dental hard tissues in compressive loads

There are two objectives. One is to show the differences in the mechanical properties of various dental restorative materials compared to those of enamel and dentin. The other is to ascertain which dental restorative materials are more suitable for clinical treatments. Amalgam, dental ceramic, gold alloy, dental resin, zirconia, and titanium alloy were processed as dental restorative material specimens. The specimens (width, height, and length of 1.2, 1.2, and 3.0 mm, respectively) were compressed at a constant loading speed of 0.1 mm/min. The maximum stress (115.0 ± 40.6, 55.0 ± 24.8, 291.2 ± 45.3, 274.6 ± 52.2, 2206.0 ± 522.9, and 953.4 ± 132.1 MPa), maximum strain (7.8% ± 0.5%, 4.0% ± 0.1%, 12.7% ± 0.8%, 32.8% ± 0.5%, 63.5% ± 14.0%, and 45.3% ± 7.4%), and elastic modulus (1437.5 ± 507.2, 1548.4 ± 583.5, 2323.4 ± 322.4, 833.1 ± 92.4, 3895.2 ± 202.9, and 2222.7 ± 277.6 MPa) were evident for amalgam, dental ceramic, gold alloy, dental resin, zirconia, and titanium alloy, respectively. The reference hardness value of amalgam, dental ceramic, gold alloy, dental resin, zirconia, and titanium alloy was 90, 420, 130–135, 86.6–124.2, 1250, and 349, respectively. Since enamel grinds food, its abrasion resistance is important. Therefore, hardness value should be prioritized for enamel. Since dentin absorbs bite forces, mechanical properties should be prioritized for dentin. The results suggest that gold alloy simultaneously has a hardness value lower than enamel (74.8 ± 18.1), which is important in the wear of the opposing natural teeth, and higher maximum stress, maximum strain, and elastic modulus than dentin (193.7 ± 30.6 MPa, 11.9% ± 0.1%, 1653.7 ± 277.9 MPa, respectively), which are important considering the rigidity to absorb bite forces.

3D Finite element analysis of functionally graded multilayered dental ceramic cores

This study aimed at investigating and establishing stress distributions in graded multilayered zirconia/alumina ceramic cores and at veneer-core-cement-dentin interfaces, using finite element analysis (FEA), to facilitate the structural design of ceramic cores through computer modeling. An intact maxillary premolar was digitized using CT scanning. An imaging software, Mimics, was used to reconstruct 3D models based on computed tomography (CT) data saved in DICOM format. Eight different 3D models were created for FEA, where each 3D model was meshed and its bottom boundaries constrained. A static load was applied in the oblique direction. The materials were assumed to be isotropic and homogeneous. Highest von Mises stress values were found in areas directly below the load application point, and stress gradually decreased in occlusal loading direction from the external surface toward the dentin. Stress levels occurring at veneer-ceramic core-cement-dentin interfaces were shown to be lower in multilayered ceramic cores than in single-layer models.

Influence of the veneer-framework interface on the mechanical behavior of ceramic veneers: a nonlinear finite element analysis

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The chipping of ceramic veneers is a common problem for zirconia-based restorations and is due to the weak interface between both structures.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical behavior of ceramic veneers on zirconia and metal frameworks under 2 different bond-integrity conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The groups were created to simulate framework-veneer bond integrity with the crowns partially debonded (frictional coefficient, 0.3) or completely bonded as follows: crown with a silver-palladium framework cemented onto a natural tooth, ceramic crown with a zirconia framework cemented onto a natural tooth, crown with a silver-palladium framework cemented onto a Morse taper implant, and ceramic crown with a zirconia framework cemented onto a Morse taper implant. The test loads were 49 N applied to the palatal surface at 45 degrees to the long axis of the crown and 25.5 N applied perpendicular to the incisal edge of the crown. The maximum principal stress, shear stress, and deformation values were calculated for the ceramic veneer; and the von Mises stress was determined for the framework.

RESULTS

Veneers with partial debonding to the framework (frictional coefficient, 0.3) had greater stress concentrations in all structures compared with the completely bonded veneers. The metal ceramic crowns experienced lower stress values than ceramic crowns in models that simulate a perfect bond between the ceramic and the framework. Frameworks cemented to a tooth exhibited greater stress values than frameworks cemented to implants, regardless of the material used.

CONCLUSION

Incomplete bonding between the ceramic veneer and the prosthetic framework affects the mechanical performance of the ceramic veneer, which makes it susceptible to failure, independent of the framework material or complete crown support.

Shear bond strength of veneering porcelain to porous zirconia

In this study, two types of porous zirconia and dense zirconia were used. The flexural strength of non-layered zirconia specimens and those of the layered zirconia specimens with veneering porcelain were examined. Furthermore, the shear bond strength of veneering porcelain to zirconia was examined. The flexural strength of the non-layered specimens was 1,220 MPa for dense zirconia and 220 to 306 MPa for porous zirconia. The flexural strength of the layered specimens was 360 MPa for dense zirconia and 132 to 156 MPa for porous zirconia, when a load was applied to the porcelain side. The shear bond strength of porcelain veneered to dense zirconia was 27.4 MPa and that of porcelain veneered to porous zirconia was 33.6 to 35.1 MPa. This suggests that the veneering porcelain bonded strongly to porous zirconia although porous zirconia has a lower flexural strength than dense zirconia.

Effects of differing thickness and mechanical properties of cement on the stress levels and distributions in a three-unit zirconia fixed prosthesis by FEA

PURPOSE

This study analyzed the impact of cement layer thickness (CLT) and Young's modulus of the cement on the stress distribution in a three-unit zirconia fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) and in the bonding interfaces by means of finite element method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 3D finite element model was created from a stylized three-unit FDP-cement-tooth/socket system. The pulp and the periodontal ligament were not modeled. Two CLTs (50 and 150 μm) and two values of Young's modulus of the cement (4.9 for simulation of resin cement, 20.1 GPa for glass ionomer cement) were evaluated. A 500 N static vertical load was applied at the central fossa of the pontic to calculate maximum displacement in the framework and maximum principal stresses in both framework and bonding interfaces.

RESULTS

The simulated results showed that the Young's modulus affected stress occurrence only in the cement interface. Lower moduli were associated with less stress. The thickness of the cement layer influenced the maximum principal stress in both the FDP and in the cement layer itself. Thicker cement layers led to higher stresses in the framework but lower stresses in the cement layer. Maximum displacement was less dependent of the investigated variables. During all trials, the location of the maximum principal stress did not change. Maximum stress concentrations were observed at the lower embrasures of the connector areas and in the bonding layer at the cervical margin of the preparation.

CONCLUSIONS

Choosing cements with a preferably low Young's modulus in combination with a CLT as small as possible might increase the clinical survival rate.

Evaluation of fracture resistance in aqueous environment under dynamic loading of lithium disilicate restorative systems for posterior applications. Part 2

PURPOSE

The goals of part 2 of the study presented here were 1) to assess whether there is a difference in failure mode of different thicknesses (2.0, 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mm) of anatomically standardized full contour monolithic lithium disilicate restorations for posterior teeth, and 2) to assess if there is a difference among various crown thicknesses when these restorations are subjected to dynamic load forces common for posterior teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four groups (n = 10), each with a different thickness of anatomically appropriate all-ceramic crowns, were to be tested as established from the statistical analysis of the preliminary phase. Group 1: 2.0 mm; group 2: 1.5 mm; group 3: 1.0 mm; group 4: 0.5 mm. The specimens were adhesively luted to the corresponding die, and underwent dynamic cyclic loading (380 to 390 N) completely submerged in an aqueous environment until a failure was noted by graphic recording and continuous monitoring.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference of the fatigue cycles to failure among four groups (p < 0.001; Kruskal-Wallis test). The mean number of cycles to fail for 2.0 mm specimens was 17 times more than the mean number of cycles to fail for 1.0 mm specimens and 1.5 times more than the mean number of cycles to fail for 1.5 mm specimens. The 0.5 mm specimens failed with one cycle of loading. A qualitative characteristic noted among the 2.0 mm specimens was wear of the area of indenter contact followed by shearing of the material and/or crack propagation.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings of this study, it may be reasonable to consider a crown thickness of 1.5 mm or greater for clinical applications of milled monolithic lithium disilicate crowns for posterior single teeth.

Atmospheric moisture effects on the testing rate and cementation seating load following resin-strengthening of a soda lime glass analogue for dental porcelain

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if resin-cementation of a soda lime glass dental analogue could elucidate information regarding the pattern of resin-reinforcement when coated in an environment actively scavenged of moisture.

METHODS

192 soda lime disc-shaped specimens (alumina particle air abraded, hydrofluoric acid-etched and silane coated) were randomly assigned to eight groups (n=24 per group) prior to resin-coating at seating loads of 5 N (Groups A-D) and 30 N (Groups E-H) in an environment where moisture was actively scavenged and maintained below 15 ppm. Following one week storage the discs were tested in biaxial flexure at crosshead rates of 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10mm/min. Analysis of group means was performed utilising a general linear model univariate analysis and post hoc all paired Tukey tests (P<0.05).

RESULTS

The general linear model univariate analysis identified the mean biaxial flexure strength (BFS) was significantly influenced by the factors resin-cementation seating load (P<0.001) and crosshead speed of the applied load (P<0.001) with a significant interaction (P=0.008) between both factors. The linear logarithmic regression curves fitted to the group mean BFS data plotted against the crosshead speed highlighted significant differences between the pattern of resin-strengthening for the cementation loads and testing conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The decrease in resin-penetration expected within the 'resin-ceramic hybrid layer' following removal of the 30 N seating load was proposed as the modifying resin-strengthening parameter. These observations are supported by the viscoelastic and creep behaviour of resins at slow testing rates which becomes the dominant or determining phenomenon.

Effect of the crown design and interface lute parameters on the stress-state of a machined crown-tooth system: a finite element analysis

The effect of preparation design and the physical properties of the interface lute on the restored machined ceramic crown-tooth complex are poorly understood. The aim of this work was to determine, by means of three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) the effect of the tooth preparation design and the elastic modulus of the cement on the stress state of the cemented machined ceramic crown-tooth complex. The three-dimensional structure of human premolar teeth, restored with adhesively cemented machined ceramic crowns, was digitized with a micro-CT scanner. An accurate, high resolution, digital replica model of a restored tooth was created. Two preparation designs, with different occlusal morphologies, were modeled with cements of 3 different elastic moduli. Interactive medical image processing software (mimics and professional CAD modeling software) was used to create sophisticated digital models that included the supporting structures; periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The generated models were imported into an FEA software program (hypermesh version 10.0, Altair Engineering Inc.) with all degrees of freedom constrained at the outer surface of the supporting cortical bone of the crown-tooth complex. Five different elastic moduli values were given to the adhesive cement interface 1.8GPa, 4GPa, 8GPa, 18.3GPa and 40GPa; the four lower values are representative of currently used cementing lutes and 40GPa is set as an extreme high value. The stress distribution under simulated applied loads was determined. The preparation design demonstrated an effect on the stress state of the restored tooth system. The cement elastic modulus affected the stress state in the cement and dentin structures but not in the crown, the pulp, the periodontal ligament or the cancellous and cortical bone. The results of this study suggest that both the choice of the preparation design and the cement elastic modulus can affect the stress state within the restored crown-tooth complex.

Interpreting finite element results for brittle materials in endodontic restorations

BACKGROUND

Finite element simulation has been used in last years for analysing the biomechanical performance of post-core restorations in endodontics, but results of these simulations have been interpreted in most of the works using von Mises stress criterion. However, the validity of this failure criterion for brittle materials, which are present in these restorations, is questionable. The objective of the paper is to analyse how finite element results for brittle materials of endodontic restorations should be interpreted to obtain correct conclusions about the possible failure in the restoration.

METHODS

Different failure criteria (Von Mises, Rankine, Coulomb-Mohr, Modified Mohr and Christensen) and material strength data (diametral tensile strength and flexural strength) were considered in the study. Three finite element models (FEM) were developed to simulate an endodontic restoration and two typical material tests: diametral tensile test and flexural test.

RESULTS

Results showed that the Christensen criterion predicts similar results as the Von Mises criterion for ductile components, while it predicts similar results to all other criteria for brittle components. The different criteria predict different failure points for the diametral tensile test, all of them under multi-axial stress states. All criteria except Von Mises predict failure for flexural test at the same point of the specimen, with this point under uniaxial tensile stress.

CONCLUSIONS

From the results it is concluded that the Christensen criterion is recommended for FEM result interpretation in endodontic restorations and that the flexural test is recommended to estimate tensile strength instead of the diametral tensile test.

Using occlusal wear information and finite element analysis to investigate stress distributions in human molars

Simulations based on finite element analysis (FEA) have attracted increasing interest in dentistry and dental anthropology for evaluating the stress and strain distribution in teeth under occlusal loading conditions. Nonetheless, FEA is usually applied without considering changes in contacts between antagonistic teeth during the occlusal power stroke. In this contribution we show how occlusal information can be used to investigate the stress distribution with 3D FEA in lower first molars (M(1)). The antagonistic crowns M(1) and P(2)-M(1) of two dried modern human skulls were scanned by μCT in maximum intercuspation (centric occlusion) contact. A virtual analysis of the occlusal power stroke between M(1) and P(2)-M(1) was carried out in the Occlusal Fingerprint Analyser (OFA) software, and the occlusal trajectory path was recorded, while contact areas per time-step were visualized and quantified. Stress distribution of the M(1) in selected occlusal stages were analyzed in strand7, considering occlusal information taken from OFA results for individual loading direction and loading area. Our FEA results show that the stress pattern changes considerably during the power stroke, suggesting that wear facets have a crucial influence on the distribution of stress on the whole tooth. Grooves and fissures on the occlusal surface are seen as critical locations, as tensile stresses are concentrated at these features. Properly accounting for the power stroke kinematics of occluding teeth results in quite different results (less tensile stresses in the crown) than usual loading scenarios based on parallel forces to the long axis of the tooth. This leads to the conclusion that functional studies considering kinematics of teeth are important to understand biomechanics and interpret morphological adaptation of teeth.

Performance of dental ceramics: challenges for improvements

The clinical success of modern dental ceramics depends on an array of factors, ranging from initial physical properties of the material itself, to the fabrication and clinical procedures that inevitably damage these brittle materials, and the oral environment. Understanding the influence of these factors on clinical performance has engaged the dental, ceramics, and engineering communities alike. The objective of this review is to first summarize clinical, experimental, and analytic results reported in the recent literature. Additionally, it seeks to address how this new information adds insight into predictive test procedures and reveals challenges for future improvements.

Experimental and computational approach for evaluating the mechanical characteristics of dental composite resins with various filler sizes

This study aimed to investigate the influence of particle size of fillers on flexural properties of dental composite resins by laboratory testing with computational analysis validation. Four kinds of silica fillers with mean particle sizes of 3.3, 4.3, 7.9, and 15.5 microm were used. Filler content was kept constant at 70 mass% (or 53.8 vol.%). The three-point bending test was performed with a constant loading speed of 1.0mm/min, and a span length of 20mm using an Instron machine, in order to measure flexural strength and modulus of composite resins with various particle sizes. Test specimens were 2-mm wide, 2-mm thick, and 25-mm long rectangular bars. Furthermore, a numerical simulation using three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis was performed to investigate stress distribution in composite resins under loading. As a result, flexural strength decreased with increasing particle size of the filler of the composite resins (p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in Young's modulus among composite resins with various filler sizes (p>0.05). Moreover, FE analysis indicated that stress concentration increased with increasing particle size in agreement with experimental results of flexural strength. In conclusion, within the limitations of this investigation, we confirmed that flexural strength of composite resins decreased with increasing filler particle size. In addition, FE analysis was effective for evaluating stress distributions of dental composite resins with various filler sizes.