Influence of fiber insertion and different material type on stress distribution in endocrown restorations: a 3D-FEA study

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of fibers insertion and restorative material type on the stress distribution in endocrowns with finite element analysis. Five 3D models of first mandibular molars were created and restored as follows: (1) IN: intact tooth, (2) IPS-E: tooth restored with lithium disilicat ceramic endocrowns, (3) C-E: tooth restored with composite endocrowns, (4) IPS-E + F: lithium disilicate ceramic endocrowns + fiber, (5) C-E + F: composite endocrowns + fiber. Vertical masticatory load was imitated with finite element analysis. The equivalent stress of von Mises failure criterion (mvM) was calculated. The maximum mvM stress, enamel/crown, dentin and cement were compared among models and strength of the materials. Endocrowns presented a lower mvM stress level than intact tooth. In IPS-E, the mvM stress values in the crown and dentin were higher than C-E, while the mvM stress values in cement were higher in C-E group. Fibers insertion did not affect the stress level of IPS-E and C-E groups. In IPS model, fiber showed more stress absorption than C-E. The restorative material type changed the stress distribution of endocrown restorations. The fiber application did not affect the stress distribution in either endocrown group. But, more stress absorption was observed in fiber under IPS-E than C-E.