Stress analysis of a human tooth with support tissues resorption

Conservative and reconstructive dentistry saw a constant evolution, becoming a reliable technique of oral rehabilitation aiming to maintain, as much as possible, the remaining teeth in the oral cavity. The resorption of tooth's surrounding support tissues (cortical-cancellous bone and PDL) reduces its capability to efficiently support current functional loadings, determining a failure in time. In this study 3D finite element analysis is used for studying the level and distribution of von Mises equivalent stress in the components of a human lower premolar tooth and its surrounding support tissues(bone and PDL), in case of their progressive reduction. Von Mises stress distribution indicated that a rapid and massive increase of stress values in all model's components, is closely related to the resorption process. Mechanical stress reaches highest values in bone. Additionally, a turning point in the biomechanical behavior of the support tissues can be observed at 70% resorption degree.