A comparative analysis of teeth exposed to high temperatures

Abstract

Introduction: In most cases, the complete destruction of soft tissues caused by heat can make difÏcult for forensic identification of human remains. Fortunately, of their high resistant composition, teeth are the most relatively well preserved after severe fire thus making it important source of information. Purpose: Estimation of tooth structural changes which exposed to high temperatures. Materials and methods: A total of 60 permanent teeth were studied. The samples were burned to temperatures of exposure, 100℃, 300℃, 500℃, 700℃, for 30 minutes. Before and after each exposure weight, morphological feature, periapical radiographs were taken and changes were analyzed. Results: A significant possitive correlation was found between tooth weight and exposing high temperatures (r=0.86, p<0.01). In periapical radiographs the number of fractures lines (r=0.32, p<0.05) and width (r=0.36, p<0.01) increases as temperatures raises. But length of fractures line shows statistically not significant relationship with exposing temperature (r=-0.17, p<0.01). Conclusion: When the teeth are exposed to high temperatures, alterations may develop in enamel, dentin, and dentin-enamel junction with root and crown fractures. Changes in tooth structure are likely to increase (p<0.05, p<0.01) as temperature progresses.