Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate stress distribution in short-crowned molars with distal subgingival defects with various restorations and materials.
Methods: Residual crowns were restored using a post-and-core crown (model A), a full crown (model B), a fissure-post endocrown (model C), an endocrown (model D), an onlay (model E), and an overlay (model F). The ceramic materials used were IPS e.max (EM), Vita Enamic (VE), and Lava Ultimate (LU). Subsequently, finite element analysis was performed by applying 600 N vertical load (0° to the long axis) and 200 N oblique load (45° to the long axis) to simulate chewing loads.
Results: As the elastic modulus of the material increased, the stress on the restorations also increased, particularly under an oblique loading condition. Under vertical and oblique loading conditions, the peak maximum principal stress (MPS) in the dentin was lowest in Group A-EM (17.28 MPa and 5.61 MPa, respectively), following the trend A < B, C < D, F < E. The MPS within the cement was lowest in Group A-EM (2.74 MPa and 2.58 MPa under vertical and oblique loading conditions, respectively). The MPS within the cement in Group H (4.11 MPa) was reduced to approximately one-third of that in Group G (12.35 MPa).
Conclusions: EM exhibited a more uniform stress distribution than other materials and is a promising material for short-crowned molars. A fissure-post endocrown design is a potentially favorable restorative option for short-crowned molars. Fiber posts should be used with full crown restorations.
