Development of an artificial intelligence-based algorithm to classify images acquired with an intraoral scanner of individual molar teeth into three categories

Background Forensic dentistry identifies deceased individuals by comparing postmortem dental charts, oral-cavity pictures and dental X-ray images with antemortem records. However, conventional forensic dentistry methods are time-consuming and thus unable to rapidly identify large numbers of victims following a large-scale disaster. Objective Our goal is to automate the dental filing process by using intraoral scanner images. In this study, we generated and evaluated an artificial intelligence-based algorithm that classified images of individual molar teeth into three categories: (1) full metallic crown (FMC); (2) partial metallic restoration (In); or (3) sound tooth, carious tooth or non-metallic restoration (CNMR). Methods A pre-trained model was created using oral-cavity pictures from patients. Then, the algorithm was generated through transfer learning and training with images acquired from cadavers by intraoral scanning. Cross-validation was performed to reduce bias. The ability of the model to classify molar teeth into the three categories (FMC, In or CNMR) was evaluated using four criteria: precision, recall, F-measure and overall accuracy. Results The average value (variance) was 0.952 (0.000140) for recall, 0.957 (0.0000614) for precision, 0.952 (0.000145) for F-measure, and 0.952 (0.000142) for overall accuracy when the algorithm was used to classify images of molar teeth acquired from cadavers by intraoral scanning. Conclusion We have created an artificial intelligence-based algorithm that analyzes images acquired with an intraoral scanner and classifies molar teeth into one of three types (FMC, In or CNMR) based on the presence/absence of metallic restorations. Furthermore, the accuracy of the algorithm reached about 95%. This algorithm was constructed as a first step toward the development of an automated system that generates dental charts from images acquired by an intraoral scanner. The availability of such a system would greatly increase the efficiency of personal identification in the event of a major disaster.

Identification of gender by radiographic analysis of mental foramen in a sample of Iraqi patients

Objective: The mandible is the strongest bone in the human skeleton. The uses of the morphological characters of such jawbone is a predominantly used approach in forensic dentistry to determine the gender of a severely damaged cadaver. Distinguishing sex, race and personal stamp of the unknown skeleton still has been the most challenging job in forensic dentistry. This research aimed to clarify the gender of Babylon population by mental foramen (MF) assessment using Orthopantomography (OPG). Method: The present retrospective study was conducted on 120 digital panoramic radiographs. The radiographs were of 60 male and 60 female dentate patients aged between 18-62 years. Morphometric analysis was performed on bilateral mental foramina. Lines were drawn from superior (S) and inferior (I) borders of the foramen and perpendiculars to the lower (L) border of the mandible (S-L and I-L lines respectively). Data were distributed and subjected to statistical analysis using the Independent-Samples T test. Results: The average values of S-L and I-L were significantly higher in males than in females (p<0.05). Conclusion: The distance from the MF to the lower border of the lower jaw reveals gender differences in Babylon city population. Findings also suggest that OPG could be a useful technique for gender identification from the remnants of the human body skeleton. There was a statistical significant difference in the average S-L distance and average I-L distance between males and females at 3 different age groups (young adult, middle age and old age groups), except in the average I-L distance at the middle age group (p<0.05). Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 79-83

DNA Profiling from Dentine and It’s Role in Signifying Individuality

Forensic dentistry is the field which is a combination of forensic and dentistry. In this we go for principles used in dentistry or dentistry forthe use in judiciary. It is one field inwhich we collectthe evidence related to dentistry and analyze them for the purpose of investigation. In a crime scene or a disaster situation a lot of destruction occurs. It becomes important to determine the identity of an individual and we can say it is the identity of the deceased. This study is being conducted based on previous research and literature presented by various research scholars. When it comes to a crime scene where we do not get the victim or culprit but we find the dentalevidence and also in cases of mass disasters, catastrophic events, industrial disasters where identification is necessary if we found the dental evidence, they can help a lot in determining age, gender partial identity can be known through this evidence. Many methods are there to determine identity through dental evidence and also apart from dental evidence we have orthometric methods but dental evidence is found to be more cheap, easy, fast methods. In this we have discussed how DNA is extracted from the teeth and it's further processing so that it will help in establishing someone's identity. Keywords: Dentistry, Forensic Dentistry, Dental Evidence, Extraction, DNA Profiling etc

Uso de las Modalidades Diagnósticas Pertenecientes a la Imagenología Dentofacial en la Odontología Forense. Revisión de Literatura.

Objetivo: Describir el uso de las modalidades diagnosticas pertenecientes a la imagenología dentofacial en la odontología forense. Materiales y métodos: Se realizo una búsqueda en la base de datos de PubMed, Google Académico y SciELO con las palabras clave “Dentofacial imaging”, “Panoramic Radiography”, “Lateral Cephalogram”, “Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)”, “Digital Radiography”, y “Forensic Dentistry”. Se seleccionaron 48 artículos publicados en ingles, de fechas recientes, buscando información que describiera el uso de las modalidades diagnosticas pertenecientes a la imagenología dentofacial en la odontología forense. Resultados: Las modalidades diagnosticas de la imagenología dentofacial incluyen dentro de las más relevantes para la odontología forense la radiografía panorámica, la radiografía lateral de cráneo, la radiografía posterioanterior de cráneo y la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico. Conclusiones: Estas modalidades, junto a la ejecución de análisis morfométricos, permiten al odontólogo forense la identificación de un cadáver, la estimación de la edad, el sexo e incluso la reconstrucción facial forense con fines identificativos.

The weak evidence of lip print analysis for sexual dimorphism in forensic dentistry: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of lip print patterns among males and females, and to test the diagnostic accuracy of lip pattern analysis for sexual dimorphism in forensic dentistry. A systematic literature review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. The search was performed in six primary databases and three databases to cover part of the grey literature. Observational and diagnostic accuracy studies that investigated lip print patterns through cheiloscopy for sexual dimorphism were selected. Risk of bias was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. Proportion meta-analysis using random effects was fitted to pool the accuracy of cheiloscopy. The odds of correctly identifying males and females was assessed through a random effects meta-analysis. GRADE approach was used to assess certainty of evidence. The search found 3,977 records, published between 1982 and 2019. Seventy-two studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis (n = 22,965 participants), and twenty-two studies were sampled for meta-analysis. Fifty studies had low risk of bias. Suzuki and Tsuchihashi’s technique was the most prevalent among studies. The accuracy of sexual dimorphism through cheiloscopy ranged between 52.7 and 93.5%, while the pooled accuracy was 76.8% (95% CI = 65.8; 87.7). There was no difference between the accuracy to identify males or females (OR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.26; 1.99). The large spectrum of studies on sexual dimorphism via cheiloscopy depicted accuracy percentage rates that rise uncertainty and concern. The unclear performance of the technique could lead to wrong forensic practice.

Identificação da análise de marcas de mordida em odontologia forense: uma revisão da literatura

A Odontologia Forense é uma área das ciências forenses responsável por ajudar a justiça principalmente nos casos de identificação humana. As técnicas de identificação remontam desde a época de 49 DC, e seu uso vem sendo relatado ao longo da história. A análise através das marcas de mordida é uma técnica complexa e que traz muitas subjetividades, dividindo opiniões e gerando muitas controvérsias. O presente trabalho consiste de uma revisão de caráter narrativo e discute como é feita a identificação através das marcas de mordida, destacando sua importância e suas limitações, apontando também o papel do cirurgião-dentista. Foi realizada uma busca nas bases de dados “PubMed”, “Scielo”, e “Lilacs” dos últimos 20 anos utilizando os descritores em português: “Mordida Humana”, “Odontologia Forense”, “Mordida" e em inglês “Bite Human”, “Forensic dentistry” e “Bite”. Essas marcas são encontradas principalmente em crimes de abuso sexual, homicídio e negligencia infantil, onde o criminoso utiliza os dentes como arma, deixando uma marca sobre a pele da vítima ou em objetos deixados na cena do crime. Partindo do princípio de que a arcada dentaria é única para cada ser humano, é feita uma comparação entre a marca deixada no local com a dentição do suspeito, podendo incriminar o indivíduo. Diante disso, conclui-se que as marcas de mordida podem ser uma importante ferramenta na resolução de crimes, desde que realizada de maneira criteriosa, por profissionais qualificados e respeitando suas limitações.

INDIGENCE OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY IN LEGAL PRACTICE OF PAKISTAN

Objective: To assess and interpret the utility and need of forensic dentistry in current judicial system of Pakistan. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, in the month of Jun, 2020. Methodology: This questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted in a 1-month time frame, and a sample of 100 lawyers was recruited using snowball sampling technique and only criminal lawyers were included which had a minimum of 5 years of experience. Data was analyzed using SPSS-24. Results: The results were quite significant, 81% (81 lawyers) of the population recognized the relationship of forensic dentistry with criminal litigation (p-value=0.006). Furthermore 86% (86 lawyers) believed that there are a limited number of practicing forensic dentists and a massive 96% (96 lawyers) of the population was not able to acquire the expertise of a forensic dentist. Conclusion: There is a major lack of trained forensic odontologists and training institutes in Pakistan, which has a significant effect on the legal practices of Pakistan. Furthermore, it defines the lack of specialization trend in forensic odontology.

Evaluation of Timetable of the Second Permanent Molar Calcification among Children between 5 and 17 Years of Age

Objective: This study evaluates timetable of calcification stages of the second permanent molars (SPMs) based on panoramic radiographic findings from a selected group of Iranian patients. Methods: This descriptive, analytical and cross sectional study uses 715 panoramic radiographs of subjects with optimal quality between 5 to 17 years of age (n=60 for each age group) whom were selected from the referrals to the departments of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry of at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Patients with systemic diseases or any kind of syndromes were excluded. Calcification stages were determined based on Demirjian's classification. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results: Only 20% of SPMs of 5 year-olds were in their 2nd stage of calcification and the remaining showed higher stages. The mean age of crown completion was around 8.5 years while the mean ages of root completion for the open and closed apices were 13 years and 3 months and 15.5 years, respectively. Also calcification occurred at earlier ages among girls. Conclusion: Timetable of calcification of SPMs is useful to predict the onset of puberty. Demirjian’s classification well matches Iranian population for determining calcification stage of SMPs. Keywords: Permanent Molar, Tooth Calcification, Forensic Dentistry, Iranian Population Key Messages: Mean age at different stages of calcification of the second permanent molars could be effective in forensic dentistry as well as for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

Analysis of the knowledge on Legal and Forensic Dentistry and Health Legislation and Regulations by Dentists and Stomatologists in the Valencian Community and its relationship with five background factors

The main objective of this study is to analyse the background and knowledge of Spanish dentists and stomatologists registered in Alicante, Castellón and Valencia, the three provinces that make up the Valencian Community, with regard to forensic dentistry and the current Spanish health legislation and regulations, and to try to quantify the relationship between level of training, specialisation, work experience, position and workplace, and degree of knowledge.An anonymous survey was designed and validated, consisting of thirty-three multiple-choice questions. The survey included questions regarding their professional background and key questions regarding current dental law, forensic science and expertise. Members' level of knowledge of legal and forensic dentistry, health legislation and regulations in the Valencian Community is moderate, with only 63% of the questions answered correctly. Neither their level of education nor work experience correlates significantly with their degree of knowledge. Dentists specialising in General and Aesthetics Dentistry were found to be more knowledgeable about ethical issues. Regarding the workplace, those working as university teachers tended to stand out from the other professionals in terms of legal and ethical knowledge whilst self-employed and employee dentists show a lower level of knowledge than the rest of the sample.The conclusions obtained from this study highlight the need for dentists to complete and update their knowledge of forensic science and current health legislation, as having proper knowledge is a means of avoiding possible legal problems, which not only means better legal protection for the dentist but is also a means of guaranteeing adequate patient care.