Morphological Characteristics of the Incisive Papilla in Pediatric Forensic Odontology: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives Forensic odontology plays a critical role in identification of individuals through dental evidence. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence and morphological characteristics of incisive papilla among children aged 3-6 years and assess its potential as a reliable tool for racial identification. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 462 pediatric subjects recruited from Sathyabama Dental College and Hospital. Participants were assessed for incisive papilla morphology using Ortman and Tsao’s classification. Results The study sample comprised 262 males (56.7%) and 199 females (43.3%). The most common shape of the incisive papilla was pear (51.5%), followed by rectangular (34.1%). No statistically significant differences in papilla shape were observed between genders (p = 0.103). Conclusion The findings indicate that the pear shape is the predominant morphology of the incisive papilla in the Chennai population, and its shape can serve as a reliable forensic parameter for identification in dentulous individuals without surgical alterations. Further research is warranted to enhance understanding of its applicability in forensic odontology.