Do the Mechanical Properties of Calcium-Silicate-Based Cements Influence the Stress Distribution of Different Retrograde Cavity Preparations?

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of the mechanical properties of three different calcium-silicate-based cements on the stress distribution of three different retrograde cavity preparations. Biodentine™ “BD”, MTA Biorep “BR”, and Well-Root™ PT “WR” were used. The compression strengths of ten cylindrical samples of each material were tested. The porosity of each cement was investigated by using micro-computed X-ray tomography. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to simulate three retrograde conical cavity preparations with an apical diameter of 1 mm (Tip I), 1.4 mm (Tip II), and 1.8 mm (Tip III) after an apical 3 mm resection. BR demonstrated the lowest compression strength values (17.6 ± 5.5 MPa) and porosity percentages (0.57 ± 0.14%) compared to BD (80 ± 17 MPa–1.22 ± 0.31%) and WR (90 ± 22 MPa–1.93 ± 0.12%) (p < 0.05). FEA demonstrated that the larger cavity preparation demonstrated higher stress distribution in the root whereas stiffer cement demonstrated lower stress in the root but higher stress in the material. We can conclude that a respected root end preparation associated with cement with good stiffness could offer optimal endodontic microsurgery. Further studies are needed to define the adapted cavity diameter and cement stiffness in order to have optimal mechanical resistance with less stress distribution in the root.