Finite element analysis of a glass fibre reinforced composite endodontic post.

In this work the mechanical response to external applied loads of a new glass fibre reinforced endodontic post is simulated by finite element (FE) analysis of a bidimensional model. The new post has a cylindrical shape with a smooth conical end in order to adequately fit the root cavity, and to avoid edges that could act as undesired stress concentrators. Mechanical data obtained by three-point bending tests on some prototypes fabricated in the laboratory are presented and used in the FE model. Under various loading conditions, the resulting stress component fields are hence compared with those obtained in the case of two commercial endodontic posts (i.e. a cast metal post and a carbon fibre post) and with the response of a natural tooth. The gold cast post-and-core produces the greatest stress concentration at the post-dentin interface. On the other hand, fibre-reinforced composite posts do present quite high stresses in the cervical region due to their flexibility and also to the presence of a less stiff core material. The glass fibre composite shows the lowest peak stresses inside the root because its stiffness is much similar to dentin. Except for the force concentration at the cervical margin, the glass fibre composite post induces a stress field quite similar to that of the natural tooth.