Objectives: Endodontically treated teeth are risky in root fracture after restoration especially in teeth with flared root canal. From our previous FEA study, reinforcement of flared root canal with composite resin can reduce stress occurred in root dentin, furthermore, using of carbon fiber post showed more favorable stress distribution to restore these teeth. However, the effect of crown materials cannot be neglected. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of crown materials on stress distribution restoration of teeth with flared root canal. Methods: 2 dimensional finite element models of maxillary central incisors with flared root canal were performed, using MSC/Nastran for Windows. Parameters of crown materials (PFM crown and densely aluminous-cored crown) and post types (cast gold post and carbon fiber post) were evaluated. All materials were assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic and linearly elastic. Cement layered was omitted in all models. The load 150 N were applied on lingual surface of crown,130 degree to tooth axis. Results: The risk position of root dentin : post apex, flared dentin wall and root apex were observed. The maximal tensile stress occurred in each position of tooth restored with PFM crown were about two times higher than those with aluminous-cored crown. Cast gold post and carbon fiber post showed nearly the same amount of stress when using aluminous-cored crown but cast gold post showed noticeably higher stress at post apex when using with PFM crown. Conclusions: In restoring teeth with flared root canal, aluminous-cored crown can reduce the stress occurred along root dentin when restored with cast gold post or carbon fiber post. Using PFM crown with cast gold post may result in risk of stress at post apex.

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