RESUMO Objetivo Determinar a porcentagem de correlação do Índice Orbitário (IO) na estimativa do sexo, da ancestralidade e da idade em crânios brasileiros. Métodos Estudo de corte transversal de 183 crânios secos humanos do sudeste brasileiro. No total, 100 esqueletos eram homens e 83 mulheres; dos quais 36 tinham até 39 anos, 60 tinham entre 40 e 59 anos e 87 tinham 60 anos ou mais. Quanto à ascendência, 103 eram brancos, 51 pardos e 29 negros. O IO foi calculado pela fórmula = altura / largura x 100. Os dados foram submetidos aos testes t de Student, F (ANOVA), Tukey e Kruskal Wallis, bem como à análise discriminante, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados A amostra foi caracterizada como mesoseme, com média de idade de 56,62 (± 19,97) anos. Não houve diferença significativa (p = 0,511) entre o IO no sexo feminino (direita: 86,43 ± 6,58 e esquerda: 86,70 ± 5,93) e do sexo masculino (direita: 85,78 ± 6,69 e esquerda: 86,37 ± 6,20). Não houve diferenças significativas entre idade, ancestralidade e as variáveis analisadas (p> 0,05). As larguras orbitais direita e esquerda foram significativamente dimórficas entre os sexos (p <0,001). A porcentagem de acerto do método para estimativa de sexo, idade e ancestralidade foi de 65,6%, 43,7% e 43,6%, respectivamente. Conclusão O IO não é um método apropriado para estimativa de sexo, ancestralidade e estimativa de idade nesta amostra brasileira. A metodologia deve ser expandida para outros grupos populacionais para que possa ser aperfeiçoada.

ABSTRACT Objetive To determine the percentage of correctness of the Orbital Index (OI) for estimation of sex, ancestry and age in Brazilian skulls. Methods Cross-sectional study of 183 human dry skulls from the southeastern Brazil. A total of 100 skeletons were males and 83 females; of which 36 were aged up to 39 years, 60 aged between 40 and 59 years, and 87 aged 60 years or older. As for ancestry, 103 were from white, 51 mixed race, and 29 black individuals. The OI was calculate by the formula = height/width x 100. The data were submitted to Student’s t test, F (ANOVA), Tukey and Kruskal Wallis tests as well as to discriminant analysis, with a 5% significance level. Results The sample was characterized as mesoseme, with a mean age of 56.62 (±19.97) years. No significant difference was observed (p=0.511) between the OI in females (right: 86.43 ± 6.58 and left: 86.70 ± 5.93) and males (right: 85.78 ± 6.69 and left: 86.37 ± 6.20). There were no significant differences between age, ancestry and the variables analyzed (p>0.05). The right and left orbital widths were significantly dimorphic between sexes (p<0.001). The percentage of correctness of the method for estimation of sex, age and ancestry was found to be 65.6%, 43.7%, and 43.6%, respectively. Conclusions The OI is not an appropriate method for estimation of sex, ancestry and estimation of age in this Brazilian sample. The methodology should be expanded to other population groups so that it can be improved.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar medidas mandibulares obtidas de 225 tomografias computadorizadas do “Biobanco Osteológico e Tomográfico da Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba Universidade Estadual de Campinas”, visando verificar a existência de relação entre essas medidas, o dimorfismo sexual e a ancestralidade. Métodos: Buscou-se estabelecer um modelo matemático capaz de estimar sexo e ancestralidade. Destas tomografias, 126 eram do sexo masculino, 94 do sexo feminino e 5 estavam sem identificação, com idades entre 15 e 100 anos, e ancestralidade conhecida para o fenótipo cor da pele (branco, negro, pardo e amarelo). Foram realizadas medidas entre os pontos: kondylion lateral direito e kondylion lateral esquerdo; kondylion lateral direito e pogônio; kondylion lateral esquerdo e pogônio; borda mesial do forame mentoniano direito e borda mesial do forame mentoniano esquerdo. Analisou-se também a área delimitada pelo triângulo formado pelas medidas entre kondylion lateral direito e kondylion lateral esquerdo; kondylion lateral direito e pogônio; e kondylion lateral esquerdo e pogônio. O teste t de Student para variâncias homogêneas demonstrou que houve diferença estatística nas médias em função do sexo, à exceção da medida de área, que não foi utilizada no modelo. Resultados: Foi possível estabelecer um modelo matemático com acurácia de 69,2%. Não houve diferença estatística nas médias em função da ancestralidade. Conclusão: Conclui-se que as medidas investigadas auxiliam no processo de estimativa do sexo, porém não foram adequadas para estimar a ancestralidade. A metodologia proposta deve ser expandida para outros grupos populacionais para que possa ser aperfeiçoada.

ABSTRACT Objetive: The objective of this study was to analyze mandibular measurements obtained from 225 computed tomography scans of the Osteological and CT Biobanks of Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba Universidade Estadual de Campinas, aiming to verify the existence of a relationship between these measures and sexual dimorphism and ancestry. Methods: We sought to establish a mathematical model capable of estimating sex and ancestry. Of these scans, 126 were male, 94 were female and 5 were unidentified, aged 15 to 100 years, and ancestry known for the skin color phenotype (white, black, brown and yellow). Measurements were made between the following points: right lateral condylion and left lateral condylion; right lateral condylion and pogonion; left lateral condylion and pogonion; mesial border of right mental foramen and mesial border of left mental foramen. The area delimited by the triangle formed by the measurements between right lateral condylion and left lateral condylion was also analyzed; right lateral condylion and pogonion; and left lateral condylion and pogonion. Student t test for homogeneous variances showed that there was statistical difference in the means as a function of sex, except for the area measure, which was not used in the model. Results: It was possible to establish a mathematical model with accuracy of 69.2%. There was no statistical difference in the averages as a function of ancestry. Conclusion: It is concluded that the measures investigated help in the process of estimating sex, but were not adequate to estimate ancestry. The proposed methodology should be expanded to other population groups so that it can be improved.

The Carrea's index is an alternative to estimate the human stature. However, in cases when the jaw is affected, this technique becomes impracticable. Expanding the use of the Carrea's index, by extending it to the upper elements, would increase the chances of the method, especially in cases when only the skull is available for analysis. The aim of the study was to test a new denominator for Carrea's index, so that it could be used for the upper arch, aiming at a new feature to estimate human stature. Plaster models of the arch and the string of the upper arch of 107 dentistry students, aged between 18 and 30 years, previously submitted to anthropometric analysis, were measured with a digital caliper. The data found were inserted in software developed to find a denominator that would result in a higher number of correct answers to real statures, evaluating the left and the right hemiarch, and their average. For the right hemiarch, the denominator with more accuracy for the real stature was the interval from 2.573 to 2.583, with 58.9 %. For the left hemiarch, the best values were from 2.553 to 2.554 with 63.6 %. The average of hemiarchs had as ideal denominator values between 2.579 and 2.581, with 60.7 %. We found no significant statistical difference between denominators. It was possible to obtain a new denominator to apply Carrea's index for the upper arch. The new method had satisfactory accuracy rate and should be tested in other populations to verify its applicability.

El índice de Carrea constituye una alternativa para la estimación de la estatura humana. Sin embargo, esta técnica se torna inviable cuando la mandíbula se encuentra comprometida. Su aplicación a partir de elementos dentales superiores, resultaría de utilidad en los casos en que sólo se dispusiese del cráneo para examinar. El objetivo del estudio fue proponer un nuevo denominador para que el índice de Carrea pueda ser utilizado para el arco superior, en la búsqueda de otro recurso para estimar la estatura humana. El arco y la cuerda fueron medidos, con un calibre digital, sobre los respectivos modelos de yeso superiores de 107 estudiantes de Odontología, que tenían entre 18 y 30 años de edad y habían sido sometidos a análisis antropométricos previos. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados matemáticamente mediante un programa desarrollado para encontrar un denominador, que proporcionase un mayor número de aciertos para las estaturas reales, evaluando el hemiarco derecho, izquierdo y la media de los hemiarcos. Para el hemiarco derecho, el denominador más apropiado para la estatura real correspondió al intervalo 2,573-2,583, con 58,9 % de acierto. Para el hemiarco izquierdo, los mejores valores quedaron comprendidos entre 2,553 y 2,554, con 63,6 % de acierto. La media de los hemiarcos determinó guarismos ideales, oscilantes entre 2,579 y 2,581, con 60,7 % de acierto. No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los denominadores hallados. Se obtuvo un nuevo denominador, que permitió el empleo del índice de Carrea para el arco superior, con una tasa de acierto satisfactoria. No obstante, este método debe ser probado y validado para otras poblaciones, verificando su aplicabilidad.

The teaching of human anatomy in universities in Brazil and around the world is accomplished mainly through the use of donated corpses. However, this methodology is threatened due to the progressive reduction of the number of corpses donated to educational institutions. This research aimed to investigate the ethical profile of undergraduate students of Medicine and Dentistry when working with the corpses during practical classes in anatomy, and to compare the students' knowledge of the law that regulates the donation and use of human cadavers as a means of learning in educational institutions. For this purpose, a sample of 106 students, 63 from the Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba - UNICAMP -, and 43 from the Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí (both in the state of São Paulo, Brazil) filled a questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, and there were virtually no statistically significant difference between the responses of the students of Dentistry and Medicine. Most students did not know the law, and 81 % (Dentistry) and 68 % (Medicine) would not donate their bodies to educational institutions. Although nearly 75 % of students have claimed that teachers emphasized the importance of respect to the donated body, 56 % of future dentists and 46 % of future physicians ensure they have heard some kind of joke about the cadaver during class, although only 4.76 % and 13.95 %, respectively, have confessed to have already presented this inappropriate behavior. Thus, it can be inferred that there is an urgent need for dissemination of the importance of body donation programs, and the teaching of ethical principles concerning to the corpse, to ensure continuity of quality of education offered in biomedical field.

La enseñanza de la anatomía humana en las universidades en Brasil y en el mundo se lleva a cabo principalmente a través del uso de partes de cadáveres. Sin embargo, esta metodología está amenazada debido a la reducción progresiva del número de cadáveres transferidos a las instituciones educativas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el perfil ético de los estudiantes de odontología y medicina sobre el cuerpo durante las lecciones prácticas de anatomía, y comparar el conocimiento de la ley que regula la donación y utilización de cadáveres humanos como un medio de aprendizaje en las instituciones educativas. Una muestra de 106 estudiantes, 63 del curso de Odontología de la Facultad de Odontología de Piracicaba - UNICAMP - y 43 estudiantes de medicina de la Facultad de Medicina de Jundiaí (ambas ubicadas en São Paulo Brasil), respondió a un cuestionario. Los datos fueron sometidos a un análisis estadístico mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado. Se observó que no había diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las respuestas. La mayoría de los estudiantes no conocen la ley, y 81 % (Odontología) y 68 % (Medicina) no donarían su cuerpo a las instituciones educativas. Aunque aproximadamente 75 % de los estudiantes afirman que los profesores enfaticen el respeto por el cuerpo, 56 % de los futuros dentistas y 46 % de los futuros médicos aseguran que han escuchado chistes y comentarios desagradables sobre el cuerpo durante las clases, aunque sólo 4,76 % y 13,95 %, respectivamente, han confesado haber cometido tal práctica. Conclusiones: Por lo tanto, se puede inferir que hay una necesidad apremiante para la divulgación de las leyes que rigen la donación de órganos y la conciencia de los cadáveres de donación, así como la enseñanza de los principios éticos de respeto por el cuerpo, para asegurar la continuidad de la calidad de la educación que se ofrece en las ciencias biomédicas.

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente trabalho buscou levantar as características das agressões em regiões de cabeça e pescoço sofridas por mulheres vítimas de violência de gênero e analisar a variação do número de casos antes e depois da promulgação da Lei Maria da Penha. Métodos: Foi realizado um levantamento nos registros dos exames de lesão corporal realizados no Departamento Médico Legal de Vitória, Espírito Santo. Foram incluídas mulheres vítimas de lesões corporais, encaminhadas em decorrência de violência doméstica, familiar ou conjugal com idade entre 11 e 80 anos. Resultados: A quantidade de casos analisados nesse estudo exibiu uma oscilação durante os anos estudados. Os resultados revelam que a mulher vitimizada é, na maior parte dos casos, jovem, numa faixa etária entre 20 e 30 anos e solteira, e não trabalha fora de casa. O companheiro ou marido da vítima foi o principal agressor, utilizando principalmente segmentos do corpo, como mãos e pés, como meio de agressão. As lesões craniofaciais mais encontradas foram equimose e escoriação, mais frequentes nas regiões orbitária, cervical e frontal. Conclusão: As características relacionadas à violência contra a mulher obtidas pelo trabalho têm grande importância e devem ser evidenciadas e divulgadas, a fim de que políticas públicas sejam implantadas e ações práticas de acolhimento e reconhecimento desse tipo de violência sejam tomadas, incluindo a inserção do Odontolegista no quadro de peritos de todos os Institutos Médicos Legais do país.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of aggression in head and neck regions suffered by women who are victims of gender violence, and to analyze the variation in the number of cases before and after the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law. Methods: A survey was conducted on the records of examinations of personal injury made in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Vitória, in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. The study included women victims of bodily injury, referred as a result of domestic, family or conjugal violence, aged between 11 and 80. Results: The number of cases analyzed in this study exhibited an oscillation during the years studied. The results reveal that female victims are, in most cases, young, aged between 20 and 30, single and do not work outside the home. The victim’s husband or partner was the main offender, mostly using parts of the body, like the hands and feet, as the means of aggression. The most frequent craniofacial injuries were ecchymosis and abrasions, more often in orbital, cervical and frontal regions. Conclusions: The characteristics related to violence against women obtained through this study are of great importance and should be highlighted and publicized, to encourage implementation of public policies and practical actions of acceptance and recognition of such violence, including the insertion of the Forensic Dentist on the staff of experts in all Institutes of Forensic Medicine in the country.

Resumo O objetivo desse trabalho foi identificar a combinação do comprimento de onda e filtro que melhor detecta dente e osso e verificar qual material biológico (esmalte, raiz dental ou osso) possui maior fluorescência quando exposto a uma fonte de luz alternativa (ALS). Amostras de dente e osso foram iluminadas com uma ALS e fotografadas. Os programas Adobe Photoshop™ e ImageJ™ foram usados para análise das imagens. Os dados obtidos das medidas dos pixels das fotografias foram submetidos a análise de variância. Os valores com efeitos significativos tiveram suas médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Em todos os testes, o nível de significância adotado foi p≤0,05 e os valores calculados pelo sistema SAS. Os resultados mostraram que a melhor combinação para detectar dente e osso é o comprimento de onda 455 nm com o filtro laranja. A fluorescência da raiz é maior que a do esmalte que é maior do que o osso. O material biológico teve maior fluorescência que o material inerte. Esse conhecimento pode auxiliar o perito a triar e detectar esses materiais biológicos, por exemplo em situações em que dentes e pequenos ossos estiverem fragmentados, tanto na cena do crime quanto no laboratório.

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the combination of wavelength and filter that best detects tooth and bone, and to determine which biological materials (enamel, dental root or bone) have highest fluorescence intensity when exposed to an alternate light source (ALS). Tooth and bone samples were lighted with ALS and photographed. Adobe Photoshop™ and ImageJ™ softwares were used for image analysis. Data obtained by measuring the photograph pixels were subjected to analysis of variance. The mean values of significant effects were compared by the Tukey test. In all tests, the significance level was set at p≤0.05 and the values calculated by the SAS system. The results showed that the best combination for detecting tooth and bone is an illumination wavelength of 455 nm with an orange filter. The fluorescence of dental root is greater than that of enamel, which in turn is greater than that of bone. The biological material had markedly higher fluorescence than the inert material. This knowledge can help the forensic expert to screen and detect biological materials, for example in situations where there are fragmented teeth and small bones, both at the scene and in the laboratory.

Human identification can be performed by several methods, as anatomical structures of the facial skeletal and individuals signals. The aim of this study was to report a case of human identification from the morphological evaluation of the frontal sinus and the presence of titanium plates in skull after examination of Postero Anterior (PA) radiographs ante and postmortem. In 2008 a skull was found on a highway. Later, an alleged victim was found , who disappeared in late 2007. The skull showed postmortem teeth lost, presence of round hole in the right supra-orbital region, consistent with lesion caused by gunshot. It was also noted the presence of a miniplate of bone fixation in the form of inverted "T" in several locations of the nasal bones and bone remodeling signals in the face. PA radiograph of the skull was performed for the purpose of comparison with the X-rays provided by antemortem family. By overlapping radiographic images, there was similarity between the characteristics presented by the skull and found the alleged victim, as the frontal sinus, shape and height of the orbits, and miniplate fixation of bone with the same shape and size, not leaving no doubt that the radiographs belong to the same individual.

La identificación humana puede realizarse por varios métodos, entre ellos a partir de estructuras anatómicas del esqueleto facial y del reconocimiento de señales individuales. El objetivo de este estudio fue reportar un caso de identificación humana mediante la evaluación morfológica del seno frontal y la presencia de placas de titanio en el cráneo después del examen con radiografías posteroanteriores (PA) ante y post mortem. En 2008, se encontró un cráneo en una carretera. Más tarde, se encontró una presunta víctima, que desapareció a finales de 2007. El cráneo mostró dientes perdidos post mortem, la presencia de un orificio redondeado en la región supraorbital derecha, en consonancia con lesiones causadas por arma de fuego. También se observó la presencia de una miniplaca de fijación ósea en forma de "T" invertida en varios lugares de los huesos nasales y señales de remodelación ósea en la cara. La radiografía posteroanterior del cráneo se realizó con el propósito de comparación con los rayos X antemortem proporcionados por la familia. Por superposición de imágenes radiográficas, hubo similitud entre las características que presentó el cráneo y las de la presunta víctima, ya que el seno frontal, la forma y la altura de las órbitas, y la fijación de la miniplaca de hueso presentaron la misma forma y tamaño, no dejando ninguna duda de que las radiografías pertenecían a la misma persona.

Resumen: El piercing se exterioriza como una práctica intrínsecamente vinculada a la conformación de las diversas organizaciones colectivas humanas. Numerosos autores han tipificado las lesiones orgánicas acaecidas por su utilización, pero no así, el marco sociocultural en el que se encuadran. Objetivos: este estudio buscó analizar los alcances patológicos y socioculturales concernientes al uso de piercing, en una muestra uruguaya. Metodología: consistió en la aplicación de un cuestionario, con 26 preguntas estructuradas y abiertas, a los estudiantes de un instituto de educación media de la ciudad de Rivera, Uruguay. Resultados: 21 (40.38%) de los 52 poseedores de piercings padecieron complicaciones provenientes de su uso, en tanto que 24 (46.15%), 26 (50%) y 14 (58.33% de los que trabajaban), respectivamente, no notaron reacciones sociales, familiares ni laborales. Conclusiones: trátase de un comportamiento potencialmente riesgoso, a pesar de que en esta oportunidad, la totalidad de las alteraciones se topografió localmente, la mayoría de los usuarios realizaba deportes y un porcentaje significante de ellos, no advirtió ninguna repercusión en su vida cotidiana.

Abstract: Piercing is externalized as a practice intrinsically linked to the construction of diverse human collective organizations. Numerous authors have typified organic lesions occurred by its use, but not sociocultural framework that characterize it. Objectives: the aim of this paper was to analyse pathological and sociocultural scopes concerning the use of piercing in a Uruguayan sample. Methods: the research was developed by applying a questionnaire with 26 structured and open questions, answered by students of a secondary education institute of the city of Rivera, Uruguay. Results: 21 (40.38%) of the 52 pierced individuals suffered complications from its use, while 24 (46.15%), 26 (50%) and 14 (58.33% of those who worked), respectively did not notice social, family or employment impacts. Conclusions: piercing is a potentially risky behaviour, although in this opportunity all alterations were locally situated, most users performed sports, and a significant percentage of them did not point out no repercussion on their daily life.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and the type of claim denials (administrative, clinical or both) made by a large dental insurance plan. This was a cross-sectional, observational study, which retrospectively collected data from the claims and denial reports of a dental insurance company. The sample consisted of the payment claims submitted by network dentists, based on their procedure reports, reviewed in the third trimester of 2012. The denials were classified and grouped into ‘administrative’, ‘clinical’ or ‘both’. The data were tabulated and submitted to uni- and bivariate analyses. The confidence intervals were 95% and the level of significance was set at 5%. The overall frequency of denials was 8.2% of the total number of procedures performed. The frequency of administrative denials was 72.88%, whereas that of technical denials was 25.95% and that of both, 1.17% (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the overall prevalence of denials in the studied sample was low. Administrative denials were the most prevalent. This type of denial could be reduced if all dental insurance providers had unified clinical and administrative protocols, and if dentists submitted all of the required documentation in accordance with these protocols.

Most of the techniques used in endodontic treatment are limited to the internal space to the tooth, avoiding reaching the periapical region. However, some accidents can happen, such as fracture of endodontic instruments, perforation, leakage of material, tooth fracture among others, depending on the complexityof each case. The aim of this study was to report a case involving a tooth loss caused by root perforation. In this case, the patient filed a lawsuit against the former professional who had performed endodontic treatment requiring compensation for moral and material damages. In conclusion, the practice endodontic the clarification of the risks is crucial, considering the particularities of each case. Thus, it is suggested that the verbal and written information should be offered to patients.

La mayoría de las técnicas usadas en el tratamiento de endodoncia son limitadas hacia la cavidad dentinaria pulpar coronal y el canal radicular, evitándose alcanzar la región periapical alveolar. Sin embargo, algunos accidentes pueden ocurrir, tales como: fracturas de instrumentos de endodoncia, perforaciones radiculares, extravasación del material de obturación y fracturas dentarias entre otros. Cada uno involucra una respectiva complejidad. El objetivo de esta publicación fue reportar un caso donde ocurrió la pérdida de un diente permanente causado por una perforación radicular. En este caso la paciente presentó una demanda contra el profesional quién realizó el tratamiento de endodoncia, solicitando una compensación por daños morales y materiales. Se concluye que en la práctica de endodoncia, la especificación de los riesgos es crucial, considerándose las particularidades de cada caso. Así, se sugiere que una buena información verbal y escrita deberá ser proporcionada al paciente.

In human identification for forensic purposes the sex is one of the most important and first features to be assessed in each case. Baudoin condylar index is a sex determination method based on measurements of length and width of the occipital condyle. The aim of this research was to apply the Baudoin condylar index for sex determination, and evaluate its reliability. The sample was composed of 100 Brazilian human skulls, 50 male and 50 female from São Gonçalo cemetery, City of Cuiabá, Brazil. The measurement values were statistically analyzed in order to compare the matching rate for each sex, each side, as well as the overall average. The results showed that the overall percentage of success in applying the Baudoin index was 44.83% to males, and 51.93% to females, amounting to 47.5% matching. The accuracy of the Baudoin index to sex determination was quite low for this Brazilian sample, the reason why this method should be disregarded as a criterion to sexing skulls in a forensic context.

En la identificación de personas con fines forenses el sexo es una de las características más importantes y primordiales a evaluar en cada caso. El índice condilar Baudoin es un método de determinación del sexo basado en mediciones de la longitud y la anchura del cóndilo occipital. El objetivo de esta investigación fue aplicar el índice condilar de Baudoin para la determinación del sexo, y evaluar su fiabilidad. La muestra fue compuesta de 100 cráneos humanos brasileños, 50 hombres y 50 mujeres del cementerio São Gonçalo, ciudad de Cuiabá, Brasil. Los valores de medición se analizaron estadísticamente con el fin de comparar la tasa de coincidencia para cada sexo, cada lado, además de la media general. Los resultados mostraron que el porcentaje general de éxito en la aplicación del índice de Baudoin fue de 44,83% para los hombres y 51,93% para las mujeres, lo que asciende a una coincidencia del 47,5%. La precisión del índice de Baudoin para la determinación del sexo fue bastante baja para esta muestra brasileña, por lo que este método debe ser considerado como criterio para determinar el sexo de los cráneos en un contexto forense.

INTRODUÇÃO: Dentre os vários documentos que compõem o prontuário odontológico, destacam-se, para fins de identificação humana, os exames por imagem; entre estes, os exames radiográficos, os quais, quando cuidadosamente produzidos e corretamente arquivados, possibilitam a individualização de qualquer pessoa, além de serem de baixo custo. Principalmente por esses motivos, são fundamentais no processo de identificação humana odontológica. OBJETIVO: Fazer a descrição de um caso de identificação de indivíduo carbonizado por meio de análise de radiografias da arcada e demonstrar que a identificação humana odontológica é efetiva e de baixo custo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Para a identificação do carbonizado, procedeu-se ao confronto da imagem de radiografia odontológica panorâmica feita anteriormente à fatalidade com as radiografias periapicais realizadas post-mortem. RESULTADO: Foram encontrados 12 pontos de semelhança entre as imagens estudadas, os quais foram suficiente para identificar o cadáver. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo ora em questão possibilitou demonstrar que o método de identificação humana utilizado em Odontologia é efetivo e apresenta baixo custo e boa margem de segurança, visto que trabalha com caracteres altamente individualizadores.

INTRODUCTION: Among the various documents that make up a dental chart, we value the imaging exams for purposes of human identification, and among them the radiographic, which, when carefully produced and properly archived, allow the identification of any person, in addition to being of low cost. Mainly for these reasons they are fundamental to the process of human dental identification. OBJECTIVE: To describe one case of identifying a burned individual via radiographic analysis of the dental arch and to demonstrate that odontological human identification is effective and low cost. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To identify a burn victim, we proceeded to compare a panoramic dental X-ray made prior to the fatality with the post-mortem periapical radiographs. RESULT: Twelve points of similarity were found between the images studied, which were enough to positively identify the cadaver. CONCLUSION: The study in question allowed us to show that the odontological method of human identification is effective, low cost, and has a good margin of safety, since it works with highly individualized characteristics.

The human mandibles belonging to Uruguayan population present some anatomic differences with those belonging to Brazilian population. This appears to be determined by racial and ethnic characteristics of each country. This study examined the morphological characteristics of 100 Uruguayan mandibles and compared them with similar number of Brazilian bones, using thirteen measurements stipulated by Humphrey et al. (1999). The significant variations in mean values were calculated by Mann-Whitney test (alpha=5%). Expressive discrepancies were observed between the two populations regarding some of analyzed dimensions. The Uruguayan mandibles showed higher values in almost all measurements when compared to the Brazilian ones, except for the mandibular symphysis height, which was lightly higher in Brazilian mandibles. Differences were observed in notch and ramus height, mandibular length, mandibular width, symphysis height and bicoronoid width. Several factors could be responsible for these morphological discrepancies, including functional and biomechanical adaptations of stomatognathic system, stimulated by different consistency of the diet or miscegenation.

Las mandíbulas humanas pertenecientes a la población uruguaya presentan ciertas diferencias anatómicas con las de la brasileña. Tal hecho parecería deberse a las particularidades raciales y étnicas de cada país. Este estudio examinó las características morfológicas de 100 mandíbulas de uruguayos y las cotejó con las correspondientes a idéntico número de piezas óseas de brasileños, por medio de trece mediciones estipuladas por Humphrey et al. (1999). Las variaciones significativas entre los valores promedios fueron determinadas mediante el test de Mann-Whitney (alfa=5%). Se constataron expresivas discrepancias entre algunas de las dimensiones analizadas, producto de las modificaciones de forma y estructura de las mandíbulas de ambos grupos. Las uruguayas exhibieron guarismos clara o ligeramente superiores en prácticamente todas las medidas realizadas, salvo en lo que respecta a la altura de la sínfisis (sutilmente mayores en sus homólogas brasileñas). Las divergencias más evidentes correspondieron a la altura de la incisura, altura de la rama y longitud mandibular, y las menos notorias al ancho mandibular, altura de la sínfisis y ancho bicoronoideo. Los factores que pueden haber inducido a las mismas resultan realmente profusos, incluyendo tanto a las adaptaciones funcionales del sistema estomatognático como a las biomecánicas, estimuladas por la diferente consistencia de la dieta, o la propia miscegenación.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a correlação entre a morfologia do arco dental mandibular e da coroa do incisivo central maxilar. Para isso, foram avaliados modelos em gesso de 51 indivíduos, leucodermas, com idade acima de 15 anos, com oclusão ótima, sem tratamento ortodôntico prévio, que deveriam apresentar 4 das 6 chaves de oclusão de Andrews (sendo a primeira indispensável). Estes modelos foram digitalizados em 3D e foram obtidas imagens tanto do incisivo central quanto do arco dental. As imagens foram impressas e dispostas em umafolha, abaixodemodelospré-estabelecidos de arcos e de coroas dentais, e distribuídos para 12 cirurgiões-dentistas, que foram convidados a escolher o formato que mais estivesse em conformidade com os modelos e coroas apresentados. Foi realizado o teste Kappa para avaliar a concordância entre os avaliadores, enquanto o teste do qui-quadrado foi utilizado para verificar a associação do arco dental e do incisivo central, com nível de significância de 5%. O teste Kappa mostrou concordância moderada entre os examinadores para as variáveis deste estudo, e o teste do qui-quadrado mostrou não haver associação estatisticamente significante entre a forma do dente e do arco dental mandibular. Pode-se concluir que a utilização da morfologia do arco como método diagnóstico para determinar a forma do incisivo central maxilar não é apropriada. Pesquisas adicionais são necessárias para avaliar a forma do dente utilizando ciência baseada em evidência.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the morphology of the mandibular dental arch and the maxillary central incisor crown. Cast models from 51 Caucasian individuals, older than 15 years, with optimal occlusion, no previous orthodontic treatment, featuring 4 of the 6 keys to normal occlusion by Andrews (the first being mandatory) were observed. The models were digitalized using a 3D scanner, and images of the maxillary central incisor and mandibular dental arch were obtained. These were printed and placed in an album below pre-set models of arches and dental crowns, and distributed to 12 dental surgeons, who were asked to choose which shape was most in accordance with the models and crown presented. The Kappa test was performed to evaluate the concordance among evaluators while the chi-square test was used to verify the association between the dental arch and central incisor morphology, at a 5% significance level. The Kappa test showed moderate agreement among evaluators for both variables of this study, and the chi-square test showed no significant association between tooth shape and mandibular dental arch morphology. It may be concluded that the use of arch morphology as a diagnostic method to determine the shape of the maxillary central incisor is not appropriate. Further research is necessary to assess tooth shape using a stricter scientific basis.

Piriform aperture and nasal bone contribute to the formation of the nose. Its morphology varies according to ethnic group and gender. The piriform apertures and nasal bones of 97 individuals were examined radiographically through Caldwell radiographic technique and the types of nasal bones were classified according to Hwang et al. (2005). The width, height and area of piriform aperture were measured to demonstrate the difference according to gender. Statistical analysis was performed from the Student t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The most frequent type of nasal bone was A, and D was the most uncommon in both genders. In the Student t test significant differences between genders, height, width and area of the piriform aperture were obtained and were larger in males when compared to females. The dimensions of the piriform aperture were higher in males when compared to females, and therefore may be used as parameter for the distinction of gender in Brazilian population. The type A of nasal bone was the most frequent in the Brazilian population, contributing to ethnic differentiation in human identification.

La apertura piriforme y el hueso nasal contribuyen a la formación de la nariz. Su morfología varía de acuerdo a los grupos étnicos y al sexo. Este estudio evaluó la morfología de la apertura piriforme y el hueso nasal y su relación con el sexo. Las aperturas piriformes y los huesos nasales de 97 personas fueron examinados radiográficamente mediante la técnica radiográfica de Caldwell, y los tipos de huesos nasales se clasificaron de acuerdo con Hwang et al. (2005). Se midió el ancho, la altura y el área de la apertura piriforme para demostrar las diferencias por sexo. El análisis estadístico se realizó a partir de la prueba t de Student y análisis de varianza (ANOVA). El tipo más frecuente de hueso nasal fue la A, y la D fue la menos común, en ambos sexos. En la prueba t de Student se obtuvo diferencias significativas entre los sexos, altura, ancho y área de la apertura piriforme, las que fueron mayores en hombres en comparación a las mujeres. Las dimensiones de la apertura piriforme fueron mayores en los hombres que en las mujeres, por lo que se puede utilizar como parámetro para la distinción de sexo en la población brasileña. En la población brasileña el tipo A de hueso nasal fue el más frecuente, lo que contribuye para la diferenciación étnica en la identificación humana.