Analysis of high-temperature exposure to physical changes in Valplast®-based denture with acrylic element for human identification purpose

Abstract Background Identification of victims will be difficult due to exposure to high temperatures when fires occur. In some cases of fire, small pieces, such as teeth, can be detached and ignored as necessary evidence. Destroyed body parts or the number of victims in a disaster makes the identification of victims more complicated, and forensic odontology is hoped to help the identification process. In a fire disaster, it is possible that a victim used dentures. One of them is a Valplast®-based denture with an acrylic element. If a victim wearing dentures caught fire and was exposed to high-temperature flames, there may be remains of dentures that can be identified. This study aimed to determine the physical changes in Valplast®-based dentures with acrylic elements in shape, color, and weight due to high exposure temperature. In this article, Valplast®-based dentures with acrylic element samples of four groups (P1: 32–288 °C; P2: 32–319 °C; P3: 32–412 °C; P4: 32–800 °C) were observed in shape, weight, and color measurements before and after heating using an oven. Results The result is a change in shape and weight after heating that is shown by the results of the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests with a p -value < 0.05, that is, the results of the one-way ANOVA test show that the average color change is not significantly different ( p > 0.05). Conclusion Valplast®-based dentures with acrylic elements experience changes in shape and weight after being heated at high temperatures. So, these results can be used as a reference in the forensic identification process for burn victims who use dentures.