Effects of Root Maturation and Thickness Variation in Coronal Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Plugs Under Traumatic Load on Stress Distribution in Regenerative Endodontic Procedures: A 3-dimensional Finite Element Analysis Study

Abstract

Introduction: Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) are the best biological-based treatment choice for managing necrotic immature permanent teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution of immature maxillary permanent incisors and periodontal tissues under a traumatic load after root maturation achieved by REP with thickness variation in coronal mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) plugs.

Methods: Five different mathematical 3-dimensional finite element analysis models of an immature permanent maxillary incisor were created. These involved immediate postoperative models after REP with varying coronal MTA plug thickness (model 1: 3-mm MTA and model 2: 5-mm MTA), postoperative models after REP with varying coronal MTA plug thickness with 15% volumetric root maturation (model 3: 3-mm MTA and model 4: 5-mm MTA), and a control model (model 5: a mature, healthy maxillary incisor). After the modeling procedures, a traumatic horizontal force load of 400 N was applied, and 3-dimensional finite element analysis was performed. The minimum principal, maximum principal, and von Mises stress criteria were calculated for evaluation.

Results: Regardless of the coronal MTA plug thickness, tensile stress in cervical root surfaces decreased with root maturation after REP. Using the 5-mm MTA plug reduced all types of stress in the middle third of the root. In bone tissue, the difference in MTA thickness did not affect stress values. However, stress decreased in most of the bony surfaces with root maturation after REP.

Conclusions: Using the 5-mm coronal MTA plug may help in providing biomechanical advantages regarding stress transmission. Also, because root maturation after REP provided a more favorable stress distribution as mentioned, regenerative treatments can be recommended for immature permanent maxillary incisors for a good prognosis.

Keywords: Dental trauma; finite element analysis; immature teeth; regeneration; revascularization.