Sequencing and ranking patterns of morphological dental features radiographically assessed for human identification

Highly distinctive patterns can result from the combination of dental features. These features are related to dental treatment, morphology or pathological conditions, and in human identification they can be optimally assessed by means of radiographic analysis. This study aimed to classify dental features and rank them based on distinctiveness.

The sample consisted of panoramic radiographs (n = 7212) of females (58,07 %) and males (41;93 %) between 12 e 22.99 years. The permanent teeth, except third molars, were analyzed in each radiograph. A 28-digit sequence was created with the following dental features: non-restored, missing, restored, presenting root dilaceration, impacted, rotated teeth.

This study detected 2792 dental patterns (39 % of distinctiveness). The most common pattern was "all non-restored teeth" - corresponding to 30.4 % in males and 26.5 % in females. When a single tooth with rotation occurred, it decreased to 1 % the odds of finding an equal pattern. In general, males had a higher chance of presenting non-restored teeth compared to females (p < 0.05).

The distinctiveness of dental patterns was almost twice as high in the mandible compared to the maxilla. Distinctiveness increased with age with the occurrence of less non-restored teeth. Forensic odontologists must be prepared to assess radiographic features related to tooth morphology, especially in mass disasters that involve dental human identification of young individuals.