Methods for the analysis of hard dental tissues exposed to high temperatures.

The preservation of teeth that have been exposed to a heat source is a key factor in order to keep their value as evidence. This research paper presents some methods under development for the analysis of dental evidence after exposure to high temperatures; it also establishes age related alterations of young and aged teeth which have been exposed to direct heat. A total of thirty permanent healthy teeth (young=15 and old=15) were submitted to direct heat (n=14) and to a controlled raise of temperature (n=16); they were embedded in polymethylmetacrilate.

[Metric and angular variables of the mandibular ramus on panoramic radiographs, as indicators for chronologic age].

This paper had as goals to identify the presence of age indicators in the mandibular ramus and to study their applicability in estimating the chronological age of children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. For this, a sample of 128 individuals (70 males and 58 females) was selected, all without chronic or acute sicknesses. An evaluation was made of the metric and angular variables of the mandibular ramus on panoramic radiographs of the oral cavity.

Age-related changes in blood capillary endothelium of human dental pulp: an ultrastructural study.

Aim: To describe the ultrastructural changes that occur in pulpal blood capillaries as a result of ageing.

Methodology: Thirty samples of healthy dental pulps were obtained from functional human permanent teeth. Two age groups were examined: young (10-17 years) and old (>60 years).

Oral autopsy of unidentified burned human remains. A new procedure.

Forensic dentistry plays an increasingly important role in medicolegal investigation and identification procedures. The oral examination may be difficult because of postmortem changes, especially those of carbonized corpses. We present a new technique of oral autopsy that includes a new means of access to the oral cavity designed for application on unidentified burned human remains.