Mechanical test and images analysis of implants inserted in swine bones in the forensic context

Abstract

Features of dental arches have a superlative value in human identification process. So, it is up to Forensic Dentistry study the behavior of the oral cavity structures, teeth and dental materials found inside it. This aim of this study is to analyze the dental implant behavior in three common situations of forensic practice, which are incineration, burial and immersion. To simulate the heat in a forensic situation, the samples (n=9) will be placed in oven EDG 10PS (EDG Equipamentos e Controles Ltda. São Carlos, SP. Brasil) at 200°C (subgrup A), 400°C (subgrup B) e 600°C (subgrup C), for 30 minutes. For the burial condition, the samples will be inserted in a nylon bag and placed in an excavation with a meter deep. Finally, the last set of samples submitted to immersion will be inserted in small cloth bags and placed in a cage type trap, that will be chained in a fixed point and submerged in the lake, located in the Campus of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. After the time of the exposure, the bones of each set of condition will suffer imbrication, longitudinally sectioned in order cutting machine to split the implant/bone into two halves. In this way, photographs will be obtained in high resolution of all samples and the sample (n=2) of each condition will be subjected to scanning electron microscopy with the aim of analyzing the surface as much bone as the implant. All samples will be subjected to periapical radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (OP300, Instrumentarium, Tuusula, Finland) before and after the exposure, aided by waxes blocks for standardized positioning. Radiographs will be analyzed on ImageJ software (NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) in order to detect morphological differences and density of implants between examinations. Tomographic images will be assessed regarding the presence of hypodense areas in the bone/implant interface.