[Identification of artificial teeth by fluorescent examination with an emphasis on metal bond porcelains]

Artificial teeth look similar to natural teeth under natural light, but under the black light blue or fluorescent light (365 nm, 254 nm), they showed different features from those of natural teeth. These characteristic are available to identify various dental porcelain products. Using the metal bond porcelains produced by different manufacturers, we prepared samples showing the same color tone as that of the VITASHADE A3, and examined then with the black light blue or fluorescent examination lamp (365 nm, 254 nm). The results suggest possibility of discrimination of several porcelain products; Ceramco II, Vintage, Vita VMK68, Duceram, Noritake and Biodent. We applied this method to identify porcelain products of coronae on the anterior teeth of unknown bodies in four actual cases.