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Open Access Case Report

A forensic aspect of age characteristics of dentine using transversal microradiography: a case report

Leonidas Vasiliadis1, Christos Stavrianos1 and Panagiotis Kafas2*

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Endodontics (Forensic Dentistry), School of Dentistry, Aristotle University, Thessalonica, Greece

2 Department of Oral Surgery and Radiology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University, Thessalonica, Greece

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:4 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-4

Published: 2 January 2009

Abstract

Background

Translucency of dentine is the result of occlusion of the corresponding dentinal tubules by a mineral substance which has a refractive index similar to that of the rest of the dentine.

Case presentation

This case report describes the microradiographic features of an upper cadaveric canine. Transverse microradiograph is one of the methods assessing apical dentine translucency for various dental and medical reasons.

Conclusion

Estimation of age using teeth structures may be of primary value in forensic dentistry, especially when soft tissues are severely destructed.