If a crime has been committed, a dentist may be consulted in a form of forensic dentistry. It’s never about brushing and flossing! Instead, dental records can provide physical evidence.
Like fingerprints, everyone’s teeth has a unique pattern. Even identical twins have a different dental structure.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our body. Which is why teeth remain long after all other parts have decayed. Teeth often help identify fire victims. That’s because teeth can withstand temperatures of more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees Celsius).
Dental work, such as a filling or gold crown may become distorted by intense heat. But they can still help ID the victim. Even if a body is severely decomposed, the teeth may not be affected. A forensic dentist only needs a few teeth to make a positive identification.
Good dental records, like fingerprints or DNA, can provide crime-solving evidence.
