Contact Damage of Dental Multilayers: Viscous Deformation and Fatigue Mechanisms

Abstract

This paper presents the results of recent experimental and finite element studies of contact damage in model dental multilayered systems with equivalent elastic properties to those of crown/join/dentin layers that are found in dental restorations. Subsurface radial cracks are observed to form after Hertzian indentation fatigue loading. In order to explain the possible failure mechanisms, the viscous deformation of the foundation (dentinlike ceramic filled polymer) and epoxy join layers are measured. Finite element and analytical models are then developed in an effort to explain the observed contact-induced deformation of the composite multilayered system. Our results suggest that: viscous deformation of the join and foundation layers can give rise to increased tensile stresses in the top elastic layers (glass or zirconia); defects at the bottom of the top layers (induced by grinding steps before crown attachment) are also shown to promote ratcheting phenomena that can lead to stress build-up in the top layers; and viscous flow of the cement can cause the subcritical crack growth in the dental ceramics.