Thermal shock cycling effect on the compressive behaviour of human teeth.

All ceramic veneers are a common choice that both dentists and patients make for anterior restorations. In the framework of the present study the residual compressive behavior of the above mentioned complex structures after being thermally shock cycled was investigated. An exponential decrease in both compressive stiffness and strength with the thermal shock cycle number was observed. Experimental findings were in good agreement with predicted values. Photomicrographs obtained revealed a different failure mechanism for the pristine and cycled teeth, which is indicative of the susceptible nature of restored teeth to thermal shock. A two-dimensional finite element model designed gave a better insight upon the stress fields in response of thermal or mechanical loadings developed in the oral cavity.