Cracked Maxillary Molars: Occlusal Contact 3D Fea

This study employed three-dimensional finite element analysis to evaluate occlusal stress distribution in cracked teeth, providing insights for early clinical intervention and prevention. Following ethical approval, CBCT scans of a maxillary first molar from a patient with a mesial ridge crack and a healthy control were used to construct three finite element models: (1) cracked tooth (Case), (2) intact tooth (Control 1), and (3) Control 1 with an increased cusp angle (Control 2). Vertical and oblique loading conditions were applied, and maximum Von Mises stress values were compared across mesial, distal, and buccal root surfaces using two-way ANOVA. Under vertical loading, stress distribution followed: Case > Control 1 > Control 2, with significant differences between mesial and distal surfaces in the Case group. The mesial surface exhibited higher stress in the Case group versus Control 1 (p < 0.05), while distal stress remained comparable. Under oblique loading, stress ranked: Case < Control 1 < Control 2, with significant differences in mesial and distal buccal root stress between Case and Control 1 (p < 0.05). Only distal buccal root stress differed significantly between Control 1 and Control 2. Developmental anatomy may predispose teeth to cracking by concentrating functional stresses. Steeper cusp angles amplify buccolingual tensile stresses under oblique loading, suggesting that morphological evaluation could improve preventive strategies.