Influence of substructure design and occlusal reduction on the stress distribution in metal ceramic complete crowns: 3D finite element analysis.

PURPOSE: Occlusal reduction is considered a fundamental step for providing adequate and uniform space for the ceramic prosthesis; however, a flat occlusal surface is usually found. The prosthesis design influences the resistance to deformation and the stress state within the ceramic. This finite element (FE) study analyzes the influence of changing the substructure design on the stress distribution of a metal-ceramic crown in a premolar tooth with three types of occlusal reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each part of three-dimensional metal ceramic complete crown models was designed according to the space provided by different levels of occlusal reduction and the same external morphology of the tooth. Three models were designed: (1) correct occlusal reduction with a uniform thickness of the substructure (0.3 mm) and the veneering porcelain (1.5 mm); (2) flat occlusal reduction with different thicknesses of veneering porcelain to produce a uniform substructure; and (3) a flat occlusal reduction with different thicknesses of substructure for a uniform thickness of veneering porcelain. RESULTS: Stress distributions were very similar in the three models. The highest tensile stresses were concentrated immediately below the midline fissure in both the veneering porcelain and the metal alloy substructure. Although models with flat occlusal reduction had lower stress values, this preparation results from a reduction that removes a greater amount of sound tissue, which may increase the probability of dental pulp injury. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusal reduction must be anatomic; however, when a flat occlusal reduction already exists, the substructure must reproduce the correct anatomic form to allow a uniform thickness of the veneering porcelain.

The influence of the loading mode on the stress distribution on the connector region of metal-ceramic and all-ceramic fixed partial denture.

Studies pertaining to the mechanical behavior of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) frequently found the highest tensile stress values at the connector region when load is applied at the pontic central region. The connector region is considered the weakest point of the prosthesis with the greatest potential of fractures, regardless of the material used. This 2D finite element study compared the stress distribution on three-element all-ceramic and metal-ceramic FPDs with different loading conditions. Three FPD models were designed: (i) metal-ceramic FPD; (ii) all-ceramic FPD with the veneering porcelain only on the occlusal face; and (iii) all-ceramic FPD with the veneering porcelain on the occlusal and cervical face of the pontic. Loads of 100 N were applied following these simulations: (i) distributed on all working cusps; (ii) only on the abutment teeth; and (iii) only on the pontic. There is a significant change on the stress distribution and on the tensile stress values when the load configuration is changed. The stress distribution from the load applied on the abutments was significantly better compared with the other two load simulations. When the loads were applied on the pontic and distributed on all working cusps, the highest tensile stress values appeared on the cervical region of the connectors between the abutments and the pontic. However, when the load was applied on the abutment teeth, the maximum tensile stress value significantly decreased and was located on the occlusal region of the connectors. In fact, the load applied on the pontic region does not simulate the clinical situation. Studies using this load configuration have overestimated the connector regions as having the highest probability of failures.

All-ceramic and porcelain-fused-to-metal fixed partial dentures: a comparative study by 2D finite element analyses.

All-ceramic fixed partial dentures (FPDs) have an esthetic approach for oral rehabilitation. However, metal-ceramic FPDs are best indicated in the posterior area where the follow-up studies found a lower failure rate. This 2D finite element study compared the stress distribution on 3-unit all-ceramic and metal-ceramic FPDs and identified the areas of major risk of failure. Three FPD models were designed: (1) metal-ceramic FPD; (2) All-ceramic FPD with the veneering porcelain on the occlusal and cervical surface of the abutment tooth; (3) All-ceramic FPD with the veneering porcelain only on the occlusal surface. A 100 N load was applied in an area of 0.5 mm(2) on the working cusps, following these simulations: (1) on the abutment teeth and the pontic; (2) only on the abutment teeth; and (3) only on the pontic. Relative to the maximum stress values found for the physiological load, all-ceramic FPD with only occlusal veneering porcelain produced the lowest stress value (220 MPa), followed by all-ceramic FPD with cervical veneering porcelain (322 MPa) and metal-ceramic FPD (387 MPa). The stress distribution of the load applied on the abutments was significantly better compared to the other two load simulations. The highest principal stress values were low and limited in a small area for the three types of models under this load. When the load was applied on the pontic, the highest stress values appeared on the connector areas between the abutments and pontic. In conclusion, the best stress values and distribution were found for the all-ceramic FPD with the veneering porcelain only on the occlusal surface. However, in under clinical conditions, fatigue conditions and restoration defects must be considered.

Avaliaçäo in vitro da relaçäo entre desajuste e microinfiltraçäo marginal em coroas metalocerâmicas cimentadas com três tipos de cimentos / Evaluation in vitro of relation between marginal adaptation and microleakage of metaloceramic crowns cemented with three types cements

Este trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar o desajuste de coroas totais cimentadas com três tipos de cimentos (Fosfato de Zinco, Ionômero de Vidro e Resinoso) em umidade de 100 por cento, e verificar a correlaçäo entre o desajuste com o grau de microinfiltraçäo marginal. Foram preparados 30 pré-molares humanos recém-extraídos e aleatoriamente distribuídos em três grupos. Imediatamente após a cimentaçäo, a regiäo cervical das coroas e foi envolvida com algodäo embebido em saliva artificial. as medidas de desajuste foram realizadas em microscópio comparador, antes e após a cimentaçäo e nas quatro faces das coroas. Após os testes de ciclagem térmica, os corpos de prova foram submersos em soluçäo de fucsina básica a 5por cento, lavados, incluídos em resina e secionado no sentido vestíbulo-lingual para avaliaçäo da infiltraçäo marginal. Os resultados näo mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os resultados de desajuste e infiltraçäo marginal. Näo foi encontrada também correlaçäo entre a quantidade de desajuste e ograu de infiltraçäo marginal para os 3 cimentos