A study of osseointegrated dental implants following cremation

Abstract

Background: The comparison of dental morphology and restorative work for human identification has been well documented. This case study involved documentation of osseointegrated and clinically restored dental implants following cremation. Methods: The mandible and the maxilla were excised from a head containing implants and cremated. The remains were retrieved, digital and radiographic images were taken and elemental analysis undertaken. The brand of implants was identified utilizing web based search engines. A prosthodontist, known to commonly use this implant system, was approached to ascertain possibilities that matched the data given. Results: Following cremation the implants were identified and a prosthodontist was able to identify the deceased. Two implants in the maxilla had dehiscences on their buccal surfaces, which could not be detected by periapical radiographs. Conclusions: Dental implants osseointegrated and restored with a prosthetic superstructure were recognizable following severe incineration. It was possible to trace back the identity of the unknown victim to a prosthodontist. Bone dehiscences discovered in this study highlighted how two-dimensional radiographs may not reveal lack of bone support.

The Need for Implant Dentists to Know About the Method of Forensic Human Identification Using Dental Implants

“…Greater precision for identification of the victim could occur if each implant had an individual serial number engraved on it 9 , as already occurs with orthopaedic plates 10 . If the authorities were to legislate this, implants would become extremely important for identification 8 .…”

“…In cases of carbonization, implants may become loose from the bone and be the only evidence available for identification of the body. This justifies the presence of a forensic dentist at the scene of the crime to look for possible implants, particularly around and below the place where the head was 9 . Thus, with the high melting point, titanium is also highly resistant to corrosion, which may be useful in acid or saline environments 9 .…”

“…The number of implants has been a direct consequence of modern dentistry, advancement of surgical techniques, predictable results and reduced costs, making this treatment accessible to all patients 3 . This has increased the probability of dental implants being present in unidentified bodies and detected in postmortem (PM) exams 4,5 .…”

Descripción Metalográfica de implantes de Titanio calcinados y su aplicación como descriptor forense

“…De acuerdo con Berketa et al (2011a) y (2011c) la exposición de los implantes a la alta temperatura generó cambios de color atribuibles al aumento en la capa de óxido (aproximadamente 0,1 mm).…”

“…En un intento por estudiar el potencial de los implantes como identificador forense después de una incineración, Berketa, James y Marino (2010) describieron la persistencia de un código genérico de identificación en un tipo comercial de implantes a una temperatura de 1125 °C, lo que se explica porque la temperatura de fusión del titano es superior a los 1650 °C (Berketa et al, 2011a).…”