Accuracy of forensic age estimation using cementum annulation and dentin translucency in adult: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Identification of the living and the dead individual is essential in routine forensic dental examinations. Age determination can be of great value in forensic odontology, not only in identifying bodies but also in relation to crime. When subjects have extensive changes that external features provide no information, teeth are often the only means of identification. Several procedures for age-at-death estimation in adults have been introduced. Two of them, cementum annulation and dentin translucency, are frequently used as a single dental indicator. Cementum annulation refers to an alternating dark and light band; each pair of it represents 1 year. Meanwhile, dentin translucency is the other dental physiological process that begins in the second or third decade of life and progresses with age. There are still few studies that compared both methods and their accuracy in estimating adult age at death. Therefore, this study aims to test and compare cementum annulation and dentin translucency accuracy by performing a systematic search on five online databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Ebsco, ScienceDirect, and Wiley). All the research articles must be published in the last 10 years, and the full paper must be available in English. Out of the total 1178 literature, 28 studies were recruited for qualitative analysis and 23 studies for meta-analysis. The results show that dentin translucency age estimation is more accurate than the cementum annulation method in the entire population. It is recommended to use the cementum annulation method for younger adults (15-44 years) and the dentin translucency method for the older ones (≥ 45 years).

Association of a Polymorphism in the Gene Encoding Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) 1958G> A with Orofacial Cleft

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the possible association of a polymorphism in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1), 1958G>A, with the susceptibility to orofacial cleft in an Indonesian population. Material and Methods: A total of 200 stored secondary biological samples from 30 cases of orofacial cleft and 170 unaffected controls were analyzed to determine the polymorphism status at base 1958. The analysis was conducted using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique after digestion with the Msp1 restriction enzyme. The samples were then subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis to investigate the presence or absence of the following fragments: genotype GG, 196, 86 and 40 base pairs (bp); genotype AA, 282 and 28 bp and genotype AG, 282, 196, 86, 40 and 28 bp. The test groups were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: The wild-type allele containing 1958G, as well as the genotype GG, were significantly more common in the control group than in the orofacial cleft group. Conclusion: The MTHFD1 1958G>A polymorphism was significantly associated with orofacial cleft susceptibility in the tested Indonesian population.

Effects of soybean milk, chitosan, and anti-Streptococcus mutans IgY in malnourished rats' dental biofilm and the IgY persistency in saliva.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the eff ect of soybean milk containing a combination of anti-Streptococcus mutans IgY and chitosan to the colonization of S. mutans in the saliva and to the IgY persistency in the saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental malnourished Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with soybean milk that is enriched with anti-S. mutans IgY and chitosan. After 15 days of feeding, we evaluated the S. mutans in dental biofilm, in addition to the persistency level of anti-S. mutans IgY. RESULTS: The rats that received soybean milk supplemented with anti-S. mutans IgY had the lowest number of S. mutans colonies (p < 0.05). Anti-S. mutans IgY was detected in saliva after 15 days of feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Soybean milk supplemented with anti-S. mutans IgY and chitosan could signifi cantly reduce S. mutans biofilm, and the supplemented anti-S. mutans IgY persisted in these rats' saliva following the feeding period.