Abstract
The aesthetic composite inlay or ceramic ones are useful for restoring posterior teeth affected by decay processes. The choice of the inlay type can sometimes be a challenge for the dentist. The aim of this study is to identify the optimal type of an inlay used for second-class cavities that can assure a good long-term prognosis of dental restoration. In order to achieve this study, it was performed a 3D analysis of stresses recorded in a premolar restored with a composite inlay and a ceramic inlay, the simulation being done by finite elements method (FEM) using ANSYS program. The study results showed that stresses registered in the tooth restored through ceramic inlay are more favourable than those recorded in the case of the tooth restored with composite inlay. Keywords: dentistry, restoration, FEM, composite material, tooth-restoration