Holographic detection of a tooth structure deformation after dental filling polymerization.

An experimental technique to reveal the effects of dental polymer contraction is established to choose the most appropriate polymerization technique. Tooth deformation following a dental filling polymerization is analyzed using double-exposure holographic interferometry. A caries-free, extracted human molar is mounted in dental gypsum and different cavity preparations and fillings are made on the same tooth. Dental composite fillings are polymerized by an LED light source especially designed for this purpose. Holographic interferograms are made for occlusal (class I), occlusomesial (class II), and mesioocclusodistal (class II MOD) cavities and fillings. Maximum intercuspal deformation ranges from 2 microm for the class I cavity to 14 mum for the MOD class cavity. A finite element method (FEM) is used to calculate von Mises stress on a simplified tooth model, based on experimental results. The stress varies between 50 and 100 MPa, depending on the cavity type.