180 Forensic dentistry
ability to identify the different resins by brand. This study further reinforces
the usefulness of forensic dental science in its ability to aid in the identifica-
tion of remains even after exposure to extreme conditions.^26
These types of examinations can be expected to become more neces-
sary and more useful as the placement of esthetic resins continues to expand.
If esthetic dentists do their jobs well, visual and radiographic detection of these
materials may present a challenge to forensic dentists.
Another dental material that is not generally considered beyond its
radiographic appearance in a postmortem dental examination is root canal
filling materials.
Bonavilla et al. examined the usefulness of these type of materials in
identification using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive
x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), as listed in the initial resin study above. This
study reports that 40 million endodontic fillings are completed in the United
States annually. This provides a large possibility that postmortem examina-
tions will result in the discovery of this type of previous dental treatment. In
the same fashion as the previous study, these materials were evaluated both
pre- and postcremation. It may appear that this group of researchers has pyro-
maniacal tendencies, but this research has practical and useful applications.
The most difficult dental identifications may be those that involve severely
burned remains and, in the most extreme cases, cremains. The researchers
noted that endodontic obturation materials, gutta percha, silver points, root
canal sealers, and endodontic files were identifiable following exposure to
high temperatures through the analysis of their elemental composition.^27
These initial studies allowed the development of a database of dental res-
ins. The next step was to develop a means by which the elemental analysis and
brand determination could be determined in the field with a portable unit.
This study combined the laboratory use of scanning electron microscopy and
energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) with the Spectral Library
Identification and Classification Explorer software (SLICE). SLICE is an appli-
cation that archives, examines, and compares x-ray spectra of the EDS. Blind
tests were performed in the assessment of dental resins in an effort to deter-
mine the resin brand. The application of this technology in a dental applica-
tion was novel but proved to be successful following the creation of the dental
resin database for this type of dental material. Research of this kind continues
to expand the possibilities of contributions that can be made in investigations
involving dental remains.^28
Three-dimensional (3D) radiographic imaging in dentistry has greatly
increased since the publication of the first edition of Forensic Dentistry.
Radiographic 3D imaging is more fully discussed in Chapter 10. However, other
3D imaging advances are worthy of mention because of their potential appli-
cation to forensic odontology. Improvements in computer technologies have