Photomechanical Investigation on the Impact of Endodontic Cavity Design on the Biomechanical Response in Mandibular Posterior Teeth

Introduction: The traditional endodontic cavity (TEC) facilitates canal preparation, but may increase susceptibility to root fracture; conservative endodontic cavities (CEC) aim to preserve tooth structure to maintain the structural integrity of root-filled teeth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of access cavity design and the degree of pulp chamber root removal on the microstrain distribution patterns under different levels of functional loading using digital moiré interferometry.

Methods: Twelve extracted human teeth (n = 12) were included, comprising of mandibular premolars (n = 6) and mandibular first molars (n = 6). Specimens were subjected to physiologic levels of compressive loading ranging from 10 to 50 N for each group. Digital moiré interferometry fringe patterns were acquired three times for each pecimen: prior to endodontic cavity preparation (control group (CG)), after conservative endodontic cavity preparation (CEC), and following traditional endodontic cavity preparation (TEC). The acquired fringe patterns were used to determine the microstrain distribution at the coronal and cervical dentin. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using one-way ANOVA and T-tests (P < .05).

Results: The intact crowns of CG teeth showed significantly less microstrain, when compared to CEC and TEC with a distinct shift in coronal microstrain in both CEC and TEC groups. There were significant differences between both the coronal and cervical microstrain in the CG, CEC, and TEC groups.

Conclusions: The roof of the pulp chamber contributes to a distinct biomechanical response in posterior teeth. The microstrain at the coronal and cervical level increased significantly following de-roofing of the pulp chamber in both CEC and TEC groups, with the TEC resulting in higher coronal microstrain compared to CEC group.