Two 3-D FEA models (M) of a maxillary premolar were built from ¦ÌCT data. The buccal cusp reduction followed two configurations: Mt ?buccal cusp completely covered by porcelain laminate veneer; and Mp ?buccal cusp partially covered by porcelain laminate veneer. The loading (150 N in 45¡ã) was performed on the top of the buccal cusp. The finite element software (Ansys Workbench 10.0) was used to obtain the maximum shear stress (¦Ómax) and maximum principal stress (¦Òmax).
The Mp showed reduced the stress (¦Òmax) in porcelain laminate veneer (from ?.3 to 24.5 MPa) in comparison with Mt (from ?.3 to 27.4 MPa). The difference between the peak and lower stress values of ¦Òmax in Mp (?.8 to 26.7 MPa) and Mt (?.3 to 27.4 MPa) was similar for the resin luting cement layer. The structures not exceeded the ultimate tensile strength or the shear bond strength.
Cusp reduction did not affect significant increase in ¦Òmax and ¦Ómax. The Mt showed better stress distribution (¦Ómax) than Mp.