Modelling of Residual Stresses in Dental Restorative Polymer Based Materials

Abstract

A methodology for residual stresses calculations is proposed. Common photo-curing dental restorative materials under different C-factors are considered as case studies. Reaction kinetics, curing shrinkage, and viscoelasticity map were required as input data on a structural FE solver. Post cure effects were considered in order to quantify the residual stresses coming out from natural contraction with respect to those debited to the chemical shrinkage. The analysis showed for a given test case that stresses build-up due to the thermal contraction (after the completion of restoration) are comparable with those emerging due to thermal shrinkage.