Identification from Dental Implants

Forensic odontology has been with us since time immemorial, when, according to the Old Testament, Adam was convinced by Eve to take a bite of the forbidden apple, and left behind a bite mark.

The number of patients being treated with dental implants is increasing, thus the precise recognition of implants on radiographs is of increasing importance in victim identification. Identification of implants that have been inserted previously is only possible from radiographs; dentists have to be familiar with the detailed morphology of different products and types of fixtures.

In the present study, radiographic images of five common dental implants were analyzed. Images were studied using available radiographs placed implants, thus the radiographic image varied from patient to patient. The influences of surface structures, such as threads, cuts, holes, perforations, and flutes, are demonstrated. The objective of this article is to make easier the identification of the ‘implant system used’ from simple routine radiographs.