MACROSTRUCTURE OF TEETH RESTORED WITH DIFFERENT DENTAL MATERIALS ANALYZED AFTER THERMAL INVERSION

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the macrostructure of teeth restored with different dental materials after thermal inversion. Material and methods: The sample consisted of 16 bovine mandibular incisors. Half of the teeth underwent class V restorations with amalgam (Amalgam GS 80, SDI Dental Ltd., Dublin, Ireland), while the other half was restored with composite (Charisma, Kulzer GmbH, Hanau, Germany). During 30 minutes the teeth were exposed to heating at 100 o C, 200 o C, 300 o C and 400 o C. Next, cooling was performed in half of the sample using a fan (slowly) and in the other half using water (quickly). Qualitative analysis was performed to detect eventual macroscopic alterations in the teeth, especially considering: I) the color of the restoration; II) the structure of the restoration; III) fitting of the restoration in the cavity; IV) main alteration of the restoration from the original form; V) main alteration of the tooth from the original form. Results: Different macroscopic alterations were observed after slow and quick cooling of the amalgam after heating at 200 o C, 300 o C and 400 o C, while for the composite the alterations were detected only after heating at 400 o C. Conclusion: Optimal human identification performances and forensic reports must consider the eventual macroscopic alterations in dental restorations and teeth detected in charred bodies retrieved from the water.