Finite element analysis of strength characteristics of various resin based restorative materials in Class V cavities

This study investigated the strength characteristics of various composites (Tetric Ceram, Tetric Flow, Prisma AP.H, Synergy Duo Shade, Synergy Compact, and Z 100) and compomers (Compoglass, Compoglass F, Dyract AP, F 2000) that were applied in a Class V cavity of a maxillary central incisor. The study was conducted by using a 3-dimensional finite element approach and in the study ansys package program was used. The tooth model had 294 elements and 420 nodes. The teeth considered were assumed to be subjected to an incisal load of 200 N acting at an angle of 26 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the tooth but the effects of different loading angles and different loads were also analysed. Hence, the loads of 100 and 400 N and the loading angles of 0 degrees representing bruxism and 90 degrees representing a traumatic load were also taken into consideration. The effects of the cavity preparation size were also studied. It was determined that any increase in the loading angle and/or the amount of the load resulted in a proportional increase in the stresses developed in the tooth. Furthermore it was also verified that, as a cavity weakens the tooth structure by creating a discontinuity in an intact tooth, the larger sized cavity preparations inevitably cause larger stresses to be developed in the tooth. Strictly from the mechanical point of view, the stresses developed in the restored teeth were determined to be inversely proportional with the modulus of elasticity of the restorative materials. Therefore within the scope of the study Z 100 was found to be superior to the other materials concerned.