Influence of Different Cements and Cement Thickness on the Stress Distribution under Occlusal Surfaces of Porcelain-fused-to-metal and Porcelain-fused-to-zirconium Crowns: A Finite Element Analysis.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate the influence of two different cement space settings and two different cement types on the stress distribution under occlusal surfaces of tooth restored with two different types of crowns and studied by using three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA).

Materials And Methods: Eight 3D finite element models (FEMs) representing a mandibular first molar tooth restored with crowns of, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and porcelain-fused-to-zirconia (PFZ) crowns with two cement space settings (50 and 80 µm) and with two different types of cement were constructed, using an FEA software (ANSYS, version 10). Each model was subjected to a distributed load simulating normal masticatory bite force of 225 N and was applied axial direction. Also, von Mises stress of each individual part in the system of models was calculated.

Results: The PFM crowns undergo less stress distribution than the PFZ crowns. The PFM crowns are more compatible with self-adhesive cements, and the PFZ crowns are more compatible with resin-modified glass ionomer cements.

Conclusion: The PFM crowns with G-Cem Link Ace with 50 µm and PFZ crowns with RelyX Luting Plus with 80 µm combinations displayed less amount of stress distribution under normal masticatory bite force.

Clinical Significance: Self-adhesive resin cements with PFM crowns and PFZ with resin-modified glass ionomer cements show more benefits in stress distribution under occlusal surfaces under normal masticatory bite force.