title: Evaluation of the biomechanical behavior of maxillary central incisors restored by means of endocrowns compared to a natural tooth: a 3D static linear finite elements analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed at evaluating different restoring configurations of a crownless maxillary central incisor, in order to compare the biomechanical behavior of the restored tooth with that of a sound tooth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3D FE model of a maxillary central incisor is presented. An arbitrary static force of 10 N was applied with an angulation of 125 degrees to the tooth longitudinal axis at level of the palatal surface of the crown. Different material configurations were tested: composite, syntered alumina, feldspathic ceramic endocrowns and glass post resorations with syntered alumina and feldspathic ceramic crown.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High modulus materials used for the restoration strongly alter the natural biomechanical behavior of the tooth. Critical areas of high stress concentration are the restoration-cement-dentin interface both in the root canal and on the buccal and lingual aspects of the tooth-restoration interface. Materials with mechanical properties underposable to that of dentin or enamel improve the biomechanical behavior of the restored tooth reducing the areas of high stress concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of endocrown restorations present the advantage of reducing the interfaces of the restorative system. The choice of the restorative materials should be carefully evaluated. Materials with mechanical properties similar to those of sound teeth improve the reliability of the restoartive system.
authors.affiliation: Second University of Naples, DISPAMA, Material Division, Aversa, Italy.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zarone
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorrentino
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Apicella
authors.forename: Bartolomeo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Apicella
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003442:Crowns; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000502:physiology; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000502:physiology; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D003804:Dentin / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007180:Incisor / Q000502:physiology*; D008437:Maxilla; D008954:Models, Biological; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D019279:Resin Cements; D003776:Dental Porcelain; C016447:feldspar; D000537:Aluminum Oxide