Stress distribution of molars restored with minimal invasive and conventional technique: a 3-D finite element analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze stress distribution and maximum von Mises stress generated in intracoronal restorations and in tooth structures of mandibular molars with various types of cavity designs and materials. Materials and Methods: Threedimensional solid models of mandible molar such as O inlay cavity with composite and gold (OR-C, OG-C), MO inlay cavity with composite and gold (MR-C, MG-C), and minimal invasive cavity on occlusal and proximal surfaces (OR-M, MR-M) were designed. To simulate masticatory force, static axial load with total force of 200 N was applied on the tooth at 10 occlusal contact points. A finite element analysis was performed to predict stress distribution generated by occlusal loading. Results: Restorations with minimal cavity design generated significantly lower values of von Mises stress (OR-M model: 26.8 MPa; MR-M model: 72.7 MPa) compared to those with conventional cavity design (341.9 MPa to 397.2 MPa). In tooth structure, magnitudes of maximum von Mises stresses were similar among models with conventional design (372.8-412.9 MPa) and models with minimal cavity design (361.1-384.4 MPa). Conclusion: Minimal invasive models generated smaller maximum von Mises stresses within restorations. Within the enamel, similar maximum von Mises stresses were observed for models with minimal cavity design and those with conventional design.