Forensic study of mechanical properties of dental restoration after burial in mangrove environment

Conducting research in the field of forensic sciences with methodologies that simulate situations found in the day-to-day practice of a given field of expertise is relevant insofar as this approach can produce results that are as close as possible to reality. In this context, the present study provided situations based on burial in a mangrove environment to estimate the changes in the mechanical properties (Knoop microhardness, roughness and color) of dental restorations utilizing silver amalgam, composite resin and glass ionomer cement over the time of burial. The silver amalgam showed a significant increase in surface roughness and a reduction in Knoop microhardness. Composite resin showed a statistically significant increase in color variation, and the glass ionomer cement showed significant increases in color variation and Knoop microhardness. These results allowed us to conclude that teeth restored with silver amalgam, composite resin and glass ionomer cement submitted to burial in mangrove environments produce different changes in surface roughness, Knoop microhardness and color properties depending on the time of burial to which the victims were submitted. These proprieties could help the forensic sciences to estimate time intervals for burial in mangrove environments.