Examination of stress distribution on Class I cavity restored using amalgam and bulk-fill composite: A 3D finite element stress analysis

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the stress distribution on the tooth structure, restorative materials, and periodontal tissues prepared in a computer environment as a result of the forces acting on the mandibular premolar tooth surface, using the finite element stress analysis method. Methodology: The extracted mandibular premolar tooth was scanned with a dental tomography device and recorded. Images were obtained as digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) files, which were transferred to the Mimics 12.00 program. This program was used to create a 3D image of the tooth, which was converted into a Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file. The resulting STL files were transferred to the Geomagic Design X program, some necessary adjustments, such as smoothing, were made, and Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STP) files were created. The STP files were transferred to the SolidWorks program and Class I cavity preparation, restorative material layers, adhesive material layers, and periodontal tissues were created. Finally, the finite element (FE) model was created in the ABAQUS program, and the stress distributions were analyzed. Results: In the model restored with bulk-fill, compared to the model restored with amalgam, the amount of stress on dentin was found to be higher, while the amount of stress on cortical bone, trabecular bone, periodontal ligament, and enamel was found to be lower. In both models restored with bulk-fill composite and amalgam, the structure exposed to the most stress was the enamel layer, while the structure exposed to the least stress was the periodontal ligament. The amount of stress on the amalgam material was found to be higher than the amount of stress on the bulk-fill composite material. Conclusion: Amalgam and bulk-fill composite materials are frequently used today in posterior teeth with large cavities. As a result of our study, bulk-fill composite material caused less stress distribution than amalgam in all tissues except dentin tissue. How to cite this article: Karaköy H, Gönder HY, Mohammadi R, Harmankaya A, Tunçdemir MT, Yüksel İB, Göktolga EG. Examination of stress distribution on Class I cavity restored using amalgam and bulk-fill composite: A 3D finite element stress analysis. Int Dent Res. 2024;14(S1):98-105. https://doi.org/10.5577/indentres.570