When occlusal force is applied to a tooth, stress concentration occurs on the dental cervical line. This study investigated to find the maximum force and strain of natural teeth using an Instron and strain gauges, comparing the strain of cervical enamel using finite element analysis(FEA). Tests were conducted with a mandibular first premolar applying the conditions of occlusion. Then, the FEA was processed with the same as conditions of the fracture test. The test showed that the maximum force, maximum compressive strain and maximum tensional strain was 278±26 N, 0.668×10-3±0.678×10-3 and 0.248×10-3±0.102×10-3, respectively. It was found that six of eight measured strains were within the range of estimated strains by the FEA. Even though it was assumed that properties of FE models were isotropic, it could prove useful as a reference in understanding the tendency of dental strain.
