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Postmortem pink teeth: in vitro production
1Oral and Dental Research Institute, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Journal of Oral Pathology
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Pink teeth discoloration occurs after blood hemolysis, becoming macroscopically obvious around six days postmortem. This experimental study used cadaver blood to simulate the process in dental tissues.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Odontology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Pink teeth discoloration is a postmortem phenomenon.
- The exact timing and mechanism require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally induce pink teeth discoloration using cadaver blood.
- To correlate the onset of tooth coloration with blood hemolysis patterns.
Main Methods:
- Cadaver blood (postmortem interval 8-58h) was used to stain extracted teeth.
- Teeth were bisected; one half received blood with skin (to simulate pulpal autolysis), the other received blood alone.
- Discoloration was observed over time, and hemolysis was assessed histologically and via centrifuged blood.
Main Results:
- Circumpulpal tooth discoloration began around the sixth day postmortem and progressed to 18 days.
- Hemolysis was evident by day six, with plasma and red blood cell separation lost in centrifuged blood.
- No significant difference in discoloration was observed between teeth treated with blood alone versus blood with skin.
Conclusions:
- Pink teeth staining is contingent upon the occurrence of hemolysis.
- Macroscopic observation of pink discoloration typically becomes apparent approximately six days after death.
