ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 9

Reconstruction of Root Morphology in Skeletonized Remains with Postmortem Dental Loss
Smith, BC
Major, U.S. Army, resident in oral pathology, National Naval Dental School, MD

(Received 16 January 1991; accepted 4 June 1991)

Abstract

A reversible technique is presented in which the root morphology of missing teeth in skeletonized human remains can be reconstructed for the purpose of radiographic comparison and postmortem identification. In this technique, which is based upon pilot studies with skeletonized mandibles of archival remains, the alveolar socket walls are sealed with a coat of cyanoacrylate cement and injected with a mixture of vinyl polysiloxane and barium sulfate. Radiographs are produced with the radiopaque mixture in place, which highlights the antemortem morphology of the roots. Subsequently, the impression materials is removed, resulting in no gross alteration of the evidence. The radiographs made with this technique, as well as the impressions, can be stored for later use at a trial or pending the discovery of antemortem dental evidence.

Keywords:
odontology, postmortem dental loss, root morphology, human identification, X-ray analysis

Paper ID: JFS13225J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13225J
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