Usefulness of patient photograph as a marker for identifying denture-wearers in India.
OBJECTIVE
Denture marking has been recommended for identifying the edentulous, both in day-to-day recognition when dentures are misplaced as well as in forensic scenarios. The purpose of this study was to test the use of patient photographs as a denture marker and to compare it with conventional marking systems as well as discussing its suitability in the Indian context.


METHODS
A photograph of the patient was taken and compared with a metal matrix band and optically readable laminated bar code in terms of preparation, ease of incorporation into the denture, readability following denture fabrication and changes on exposure to high temperatures (200-1300 °C).


RESULTS
The photograph and metal matrix band were easy to prepare and incorporate, but the bar code was less so; no differences, however, were appreciable with regard to readability of the three markers. Fire resistance of the photographic marker (280 °C) and bar code (200 °C) was considerably lower to that of the metal marker (1050 °C).


CONCLUSIONS
The major advantage of the photographic marker is that identity is easily ascertained by lay persons with the unassisted eye (bar codes require a hand-held reading device); photographic markers are also relevant in the Indian context where one-third of the population is illiterate and diverse scripts are used across the country, making interpretation of written data challenging at times. This allows for photographic markers' routine use in residential and hospital set-ups. Although the photographic marker has low fire resistance, it may be useful in forensic contexts since dentures retained in the mouth are well-protected by the oro-facial tissues and may survive incineration.
Anehosur
Gouri V
GV
Department of Prosthodontics, S.D.M. College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
Acharya
Ashith B
AB
Nadiger
Ramesh K
RK
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003819:Denture Bases; D003779:Denture Design; D003821:Denture Identification Marking / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003778:Dentures; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D010781:Photography; D011932:Reading; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013997:Time Factors
D003722:Dental Alloys; D013193:Stainless Steel