An Ultrastructural Study on the Effect of High Temperatures on Teeth and Restorative Materials That Aids in the Identification of Human Remains

Introduction. In most disasters, teeth are the only means of positive identification of an otherwise unrecognizable body, as there has been tremendous increase in the use of dental restorations that have different resistance to prolonged high temperature which is an important aid in identifying burned victims. Application of SEM/EDS in forensics was found useful in areas where there is a need for good imaging with high magnification combined with elemental analysis. The objective of this study was to analyze incineration effects on teeth and restorative materials using SEM/EDS. Materials and Method. 128 extracted teeth were collected, 96 were restored with silver amalgam, composite, and GIC of 32 each, and crown preparation was done in 32 teeth for which metal ceramic crowns were prepared. These teeth were subjected to 4 different temperatures (500°C, 700°C, 900°C, and 1100°C) for 20 minutes, and they were analyzed macroscopically and by using SEM for the changes subsequent to their exposure to such high temperatures. Results. All the restorations which were very difficult to identify by naked eye were identified with the help of SEM/EDS. Conclusion. Elemental analysis of the specific restorative material proves to be an essential tool for the forensic odontologist.