title: A modified stethoscope to assist in the identification of tooth coloured restorations.
abstract: Forensic odontologists are often called upon to assist in the identification of bodies. Since identification of the body relies on comparison of the post-mortem chart with the ante-mortem record it is important that all restorations present in the deceased's teeth are identified and correctly charted. If a restoration is present in an ante-mortem record then its absence in the post-mortem chart means that the two records cannot belong to the same person. However, tooth-coloured restorations can be difficult to identify, especially in the less than ideal conditions under which the odontologist may have to work. This study was designed to evaluate a simple technique for identifying tooth-coloured restorations, exploiting the difference between the surface roughness of restorative materials and that of the surrounding tooth substance. A conventional dental probe was substituted for the bell of a stethoscope. Differences in the surface texture of the tooth are reflected in changes in the sound heard by the examiner. The modified stethoscope is a useful and easily fabricated device, which may reduce the likelihood of small tooth-coloured restorations going unnoticed in post-mortem examinations. The ability to detect fissure sealants using the device may also prove useful in epidemiological studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Services, University of Sheffield.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Prinz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001314:Auscultation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D004867:Equipment Design; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays