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Macroscopic and microscopic aspects of incinerated teeth
M Muller1, M F Berytrand, G Quatrehomme
1Laboratoire de Biomatériaux Dentaires et d'Odontologie Expérimentale, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Nice, France.
The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology
|January 29, 1999
Summary
Incinerating human premolars revealed how heat impacts dental tissues. Enamel and cementum showed significant structural degradation at high temperatures, while dentine remained identifiable up to 1150°C.
Area of Science:
- Dental Anatomy
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Understanding the thermal degradation of dental tissues is crucial for forensic science and archaeological studies.
- Previous research has explored the effects of heat on bone, but comprehensive data on human teeth at varying temperatures is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural changes in human premolars when subjected to controlled incineration at temperatures ranging from 150°C to 1150°C.
- To analyze the effects of heat on enamel, dentine, and cementum using scanning electron microscopy.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-eight human premolars were incinerated for one hour at 100°C intervals between 150°C and 1150°C.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the microstructural alterations in enamel, dentine, and cementum.
Main Results:
- Teeth color changed from yellow to bluish-white between 150°C and 700°C.
- Enamel developed cracks starting at 150°C, with internal surfaces detaching from dentine at 450°C. Above 1100°C, enamel structure became melted.
- Dentine retained its tubular structure up to 1150°C, though tubule diameter decreased at 700°C. Cementum cracked and detached at 600°C, becoming unidentifiable at 1150°C.
Conclusions:
- High temperatures cause significant structural damage to tooth enamel and cementum, affecting their integrity and appearance.
- Dentine exhibits greater thermal stability compared to enamel and cementum, retaining its structure at temperatures up to 1150°C.
- These findings provide valuable insights into the post-mortem changes of human teeth exposed to fire, relevant for forensic identification and archaeological analysis.