It is well acknowledged that polymerization shrinkage of restorative composites induced residual stresses during dental restoration, which is referred to as polymerization shrinkage stress. This kind of stress at the restoration interface is undesirable due to its association with microcrack propagation and secondary caries. The polymerization shrinkage stress is a very complex phenomenon, as it is dependent on multiple factors [1]. C-factor, ratio of bonded over unbounded area, is commonly used by clinicians to estimate the degree of polymerization shrinkage. The relationship between the C-factor and the polymerization shrinkage stress is usually assessed through a tensiometer test; however, this kind of experimental has particular limitations [2].
The goal of this work is to systematically investigate the shrinkage stress and its sensitivity to variables including several geometric parameters, diameter and height of composite, height of dentin and enamel, as well as elastic modulus of composite. The finite...
