Three-dimensional finite element analysis of the effects of posts on stress distribution in dentin

A finite element analysis was conducted to study the influence of posts on dentinal stress in pulpless teeth. Three-dimensional models of an intact Chinese maxillary central incisor with and without post restoration were analyzed. When the tooth was subjected to masticatory and traumatic loads, stress distributions in dentin were similar whether or not the post was present. Maximal dentinal stresses were reduced by only 7% to 10% and 10% to 14.5%, respectively, with gold alloy and stainless steel posts. Thus the reinforcement effects from posts appeared limited in pulpless incisors.