Effects of the Mechanical Properties of Veneering Porcelain on Stress Distribution of Dental Zirconia Layered Structure: A Finite Element Model Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to study effects of the mechanical properties of veneering porcelain on stress distribution of dental zirconia layered structure by three-dimensional finite element analysis. A 3-D geometric model of the first maxillary molar was established, a tooth preparation was simulated by the Imageware software. A crown was designed and divided into three layers: core, middle layer and outer veneer layer. The elasticity modulus of the middle layer was 70GPa for the control model up to 175GPa for the tested models. Loads of 200N were applied over a 1 mm diameter area beneath the tip of the mesial-distal cusp, simulating typical occlusal contact areas, the stress distribution of the crown systems were analyzed. Results show that within the geometry of the crown configuration, one concentration district of maximum principal stress occurred on the occlusal surface closely proximal to the loading position, several sub-maximum principal stress area were observed, such as margin regions of the mesial face, lingual face, distal faces, buccal face and occlusal fossa. Middle layer with higher modulus can effectively disperse the stress concentration in the layered zirconia all-ceramic crown system.