Macroscopic analysis of dental and periodontal tissues of pig (Sus domesticus) exposed to high temperatures
SUMMARYObjective: To describe the physical changesofmacro-structural dental tissues (enamel,dentin and cement) and periodontal(oral mucous membrane, alveolar compactbone and cancellous alveolar bone) ofdomestic pig (Sus domesticus) expose tohigh temperatures.Materials and methods: This descriptivestudy observed the physical changes in macro-structural dental tissues and periodontalin 25 teeth of domestic pigs subjected tohigh temperatures (200°C, 400°C, 600°C,800°C and 1000°C).Results: Dental and periodontal tissues studiedshow great resistance when subjectedto high temperatures without changing significantlytheir macro-structure. At 200°Cno color changes and cracks appear in theenamel. At 400°C there was an increase ofthe fissure and no separation between thehard tissues, initiating carbonization. At600°C fractures in the dental tissues andbone are most apparent. At 800°C burningof the tissues initiated. At 1000°C there wasno evidence of soft tissue.Conclusions: Macroscopic analysis of theteeth articulated in their alveolar-dentalunits constitutes a experimental model thatssimulates the changes of dental and periodontaltissues expose to high temperature.It is recommended to conduct astudy onhuman teeth in their respective unit articulatedalveolar to determine whether themacro-structural physical changes describedare repeated and can be extrapolated,and which can eventually be used duringthe process of dental identification anddocumentation of the medical legal autopsyused in the case of bodies or human remainsburned, charred and burned.Key words: Forensic dentistry, domesticpig (Sus domesticus), dental and periodontaltissues, temperature exposition, animalmodel.