Effect of Different Restorative Materials and the Ferrule Height on the Biomechanical Behavior of Endocrowns in Endodontically Treated Maxillary and Mandibular Central Incisors: A Finite Element Analysis

Background and Aims: Due to the advances in adhesive dentistry and the emphasis on less invasive principles, a treatment option for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth, called endocrown, has been presented. Using finite element as an in vitro simulation evaluation, this study investigated the effect of different restorative materials and the ferrule height on the biomechanical behavior of endocrowns in endodontically treated maxillary and mandibular central incisors. Materials and Methods: A sound maxillary central incisor and a mandibular central incisor were scanned and fed into Solidworks software for modeling. Endocrowns made of lithium disilicate, zirconia, zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate, and Enamic were modeled by the program. After applying the forces, the maximum von Mises stress values were analyzed in the Ansys software. Results: The maximum von Mises stress on the endocrown, cement, enamel, and dentin of the maxillary central incisor was significantly higher than that on the endocrown, cementum, enamel, and dentin of the mandibular central incisor. Conclusion: It is recommended that a minimum ferrule be used in the central maxillary tooth to reduce the stress on the cementum. In the central mandibular tooth, using endocrowns made of Enamic is recommended because of less stress on the cementum.