title: Identification and long term stability of DNA captured on a dental impression wafer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the quantity and quality of DNA extracted from a dental bite impression wafer immediately after impression and after 12 months of home storage. The authors' hypothesis was that the wafer would retain sufficient DNA with appropriate  genetic markers to make an identification match.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two impression wafers (Toothprints(®) brand) were administered to 100 3- to 26-year-olds. A cotton swab was used as a control. DNA from wafers stored for 12 months at home were compared to DNA collected at time 0  and compared to swabs at specific sites to determine quality and accuracy. The amount of DNA captured and recovered was analyzed using MagAttract technology and a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Capillary gel electrophoresis was performed to determine the quality of the DNA  profiles obtained from the wafers vs those generated from the swabs of each subject.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average DNA concentration was: 480 pg/μL (wafer at time 0); 392 pg/μL (wafer after 12 months kept by subjects); and 1,041 pg/μL (buccal swab). Sufficient DNA for human identification  was recovered from all sets of wafers, producing clear DNA profiles and accurate matches to buccal swabs. No inhibitors were found that could interfere with DNA profiling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Toothprints® impression wafers can be useful for DNA collection and child identification. After  12 months, the wafer was still usable for DNA capture and identification match.
authors.affiliation: Lutheran Medical Center, Kailua, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Maile
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Siegler
authors.forename: Jeannie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tamariz
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Caragine
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daronch
authors.forename: Amr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moursi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004249:DNA Damage; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D005553:Forensic Dentistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013048:Specimen Handling; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D004247:DNA