Prothesis Signum: The Denture Marking Revolution in Medico-legal Identification

Within the scope of Forensic Odontology, human identification represents a critically important field, being essential in situations involving the analysis of charred, decomposing bodies or those resulting from mass disasters. The reliability of post-mortem identification frequently relies on the analysis of the oral cavity, which is widely recognized for its superior ability to resist both high temperatures and degradation. Among the available methods, denture marking assumes special relevance, allowing the prosthetic device to be directly linked to its user through information such as QR codes, RFID chips, or microtags. Despite its proven utility, the implementation of denture marking is not yet a standard practice, varying according to the institution or the professional's training. This study aims to contribute to the awareness and appreciation of denture marking as an identification tool in both academic and clinical contexts.

The models will be obtained at the Clínica S.I. Medicina Dentária e Terapias, following free and informed consent. From these initial plaster models, the final denture models will be produced. In this process, marking assumes special relevance, allowing the prosthetic device to be directly linked to the user. Information such as QR codes, RFID chips, or microtags will be incorporated, ensuring that the embedded data remains legible and stable even after exposure to extreme degradation conditions. It is safeguarded that all models will be anonymized for total confidentiality, and participants will be informed that they can cease their collaboration at any time without any personal prejudice.