[An analysis of stress around abutment teeth and periodontium in three-unit fixed partial dentures--photoelastic analysis with simulated periodontal ligament].

: The mechanical characteristics of zirconia, hybrid hard resin and dental metal for crowns and fixed partial dentures (FPD) have been researched for clinical applications. However, for these kinds of restorations, the distribution of mechanical stress around the abutment teeth and periodontium during function has not been sufficiently assessed. The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of these materials upon abutment teeth and periodontium through a two-dimensional photoelastic method. Two-dimensional simulation models of three-unit FPDs were constructed from these materials. By applying a force of 400 N vertically to these FPDs, the stress distribution around the abutment teeth and alveolar bone was analyzed and the fringe orders were recorded with a transmission polariscope. As a result, the fringe order values at the root dentin around the marginal area of the pontic joint were the highest in zirconia, and the smallest in hybrid hard resin. The spread of internal stress around the marginal area was larger in the hybrid hard resin model and dental metal model than in the zirconia model. This study suggested that differences in stress distribution within the abutment teeth and around the alveolar bone were related to differences in elastic coefficients of the materials used in FPDs.