Influence of cavity design on stress distribution in second premolar tooth using finite element analysis

The objective of this study is, using finite element analysis, to design cavity geometry, to minimize risk of the fraction and cracking in second premolar tooth. To avoid possible tooth fracture, proper cavity geometry can be designed, to reduce the effect of masticatory forces. Premolar tooth was chosen due to its least strength in comparison to other type of teeth. In literature, there was insufficient study on using finite elements methods to investigate restorated premolar teeth. A healthy premolar tooth was scanned to obtain 3D model of it, to perform finite elements analysis. The validation was performed based on existing experimental data. According to stress distribution, three different cavity geometries were designed using composite resin and ceramic as a restoration material. It is observed that the amount of stress acting on tooth is diminishable with regard to analysis results. Hence, proper cavity geometry and material were found to minimize the risk of tooth fracture.