Aims: Considering new ceramic systems, doubts about the appropriate combination of ceramics and cement are common.
Settings and design: To evaluate the influence of the elastic modulus (E) of cement agents associated with different indirect veneers on the stress distribution using finite element analysis.
Methods and materials: The finite element analysis was applied to evaluate the stress distribution on the structures. For that, a computer-aided design software was used for a three-dimensional (3D) modeling of an upper central incisor with preparation for an indirect veneer. The model was imported into the analysis software in STEP (Standard for Exchange of Product data) format. Tetrahedral elements formed the mesh. Solids were considered isotropic, linearly elastic, homogeneous, and with ideal contacts. Load application (100N, 45°) occurred on the lingual face. Cement agents have their E classified as low, intermediate, and high. The ceramic materials used were a hybrid ceramic, a zirconia reinforced lithium silicate and a lithium disilicate.
Results: It was observed that none of the factors significantly influenced the stress concentration in dentine. Groups with high E cementing agent showed the highest stress peaks. The E of restorative material was significant for the stress generated in the veneer, and groups with hybrid ceramic presented more homogeneous stress results.
Conclusions: The higher E of the cement agent and the ceramic, the higher the stress concentration, suggesting that hybrid ceramic associated with low elastic modulus resinous cement has superior biomechanical behavior.
Keywords: Cementing agent; Young's modulus; ceramic; finite element analysis.