Observations on dental structures and restorative materials subjected to high temperatures in an animal model. Experimental preliminary studies

The aim of this presentation is to describe the behaviour and the changes that endodontically treated and restored teeth surrounded by soft tissues undergo when exposed to high temperatures. This to compare the results of previous in vitro observations with the results of the same experiments done in a particular animal model. This presentation will impact the forensic community and/or humanity by describing the use of the suggested animal model which seems to be a reliable experimental method suitable to produce a reference database helpful to forensic odontology identification research. Teeth represent an ideal identification tool in situations of advanced decomposition, destruction of soft tissues by fire, traumatic mutilation from a collision or massive trauma. Regardless the conditions of the body usually the dentition is preserved and. Not only teeth are able to withstand extremes from fire, but various restorative materials used for fillings, prosthetic devices and a large number of possible combinations of dental related characteristics are also able to adequately withstand the thermal assault. Following the results of our previous in vitro studies on dental prosthetic devices, restored and non restored extracted teeth exposed to a range of high temperatures, we decided to study in such an experimental situation the relevance of the protection given by the soft and hard tissues surrounding the teeth by the means of an animal model.