Effect of elasticity on stress distribution in CAD/CAM dental crowns: Glass ceramic vs. polymer–matrix composite

Abstract Objectives Further investigations are required to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of newly developed polymer–matrix composite (PMC) blocks for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) applications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of elasticity on the stress distribution in dental crowns made of glass–ceramic and PMC materials using finite element (FE) analysis. Methods Elastic constants of two materials were determined by ultrasonic pulse velocity using an acoustic thickness gauge. Three-dimensional solid models of a full-coverage dental crown on a first mandibular molar were generated based on X-ray micro-CT scanning images. A variety of load case-material property combinations were simulated and conducted using FE analysis. The first principal stress distribution in the crown and luting agent was plotted and analyzed. Results The glass–ceramic crown had stress concentrations on the occlusal surface surrounding the area of loading and the cemented surface underneath the area of loading, while the PMC crown had only stress concentration on the occlusal surface. The PMC crown had lower maximum stress than the glass–ceramic crown in all load cases, but this difference was not substantial when the loading had a lateral component. Eccentric loading did not substantially increase the maximum stress in the prosthesis. Conclusions Both materials are resistant to fracture with physiological occlusal load. The PMC crown had lower maximum stress than the glass–ceramic crown, but the effect of a lateral loading component was more pronounced for a PMC crown than for a glass–ceramic crown. Clinical significance Knowledge of the stress distribution in dental crowns with low modulus of elasticity will aid clinicians in planning treatments that include such restorations.