Dental damage: Creating 3D anatomical models to illustrate destructive effects on human teeth

Area of Science:

• Forensic Odontology
• Digital Anthropology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Forensic odontologists frequently encounter human remains with teeth damaged by trauma, fire, or chemical exposure.
• Accurate identification of such remains is crucial for legal and familial closure.
• Existing educational tools may not adequately represent the complex visual changes in damaged teeth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop two comprehensive 3D digital models illustrating the effects of physical and chemical agents on teeth and dental materials.
• To evaluate the perceived educational utility of these 3D models among forensic odontology practitioners.
• To systematically review existing research on the impact of heat on prosthodontic materials.

Main Methods:

• Creation of two distinct 3D dental damage models using ZBrush and Blender software.
• Development of an e-survey to gauge practitioner interest and perceived value of the 3D models.
• Conducting a systematic review of experimental studies on high-temperature effects on dental materials.

Main Results:

• A majority of survey participants (79%) found the 3D models highly useful for training purposes.
• A significant portion of participants misidentified burned and fractured teeth using the Ellis and Davey system.
• Dental implants and crowns were identified as the most researched prosthodontic materials concerning heat exposure.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D digital models offer a novel and effective educational resource for teaching complex dental alterations in forensic odontology.
• These models address a recognized gap in training materials, potentially improving identification accuracy.
• Further integration of such digital tools could revolutionize forensic odontology education and practice.