article · Odontology
This study evaluates how the loss of coronal and root tooth structure affects the biomechanical behaviour and fatigue life of an endodontically treated maxillary premolar. Using a three-dimensional model derived from an extracted tooth, researchers simulated normal chewing forces through cyclic loading of 50 newtons across six experimental configurations. These designs combined conservative access cavities and varying degrees of coronal defects with two root canal preparation sizes. Finite element analysis showed that progressive coronal tooth loss significantly reduced the number of cycles to failure and increased tensile stresses. An intact model demonstrated the greatest fatigue life, followed by a conservative access cavity with smaller canal preparation, whereas models missing both mesial and distal marginal ridges failed fastest. The findings indicate that preserving coronal structure, particularly marginal ridges, is far more critical to tooth longevity and strength than the extent of radicular canal preparation.
Restoring teeth after root canal treatment requires balancing sufficient access to clean canals with preserving natural structure. This research demonstrates that maintaining marginal ridges and coronal dentine is essential for preventing premature structural failure during everyday chewing. For dental practitioners, it underlines the importance of conservative cavity preparation techniques to extend the functional lifespan of treated premolars.
The abstract describes early-stage computational modelling using finite element analysis, with no clinical trials or physical prototype development reported. The findings offer design principles for endodontic tool manufacturers and restorative dental protocol developers seeking to support minimally invasive treatments. However, the abstract does not indicate a direct commercialisation pathway or an immediate market-ready product.
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Abstract To evaluate the influence of the loss of coronal and radicular tooth structure on the biomechanical behavior and fatigue life of an endodontically treated maxillary premolar with confluent root canals using finite element analysis (FEA). An extracted maxillary second premolar was scanned to produce intact (IT) 3D model. Models were designed with an occlusal conservative access cavity (CAC) with different coronal defects; mesial defect (MO CAC), occlusal, mesial and distal defect (MOD CAC), and 2 different root canal preparations (30/.04, and 40/.04) producing 6 experimental models. FEA was used to study each model. A simulation of cycling loading of 50N was applied occlusally to stimulate the normal masticatory force. Number of cycles till failure (NCF) was used to compare strength of different models and stress distribution patterns via von Mises (vM) and maximum principal stress (MPS). The IT model survived 1.5 × 10 10 cycles before failure, the CAC-30.04 had the longest survival of 1.59 × 10 9 , while the MOD CAC-40.04 had the shortest survival of 8.35 × 10 7 cycles till failure. vM stress analysis showed that stress magnitudes were impacted by the progressive loss of coronal tooth structure rather than the radicular structure. MPS analysis showed that significant loss of coronal tooth structure translates into more tensile stresses. Given the limited size of maxillary premolars, marginal ridges have a critical role in the biomechanical behavior of the tooth. Access cavity preparation has a much bigger impact than radicular preparation on their strength and life span.
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DOI: 10.1007/s10266-023-00829-6
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