Relationship between Facial Morphology and Cementum Thickness: Alternative Identification to Disaster Victim Identification

Abstract The application of the relationship between facial morphology and cellular cementum thickness is one of the identification alternatives that can replace primary identification according to Disaster Victim Identification. Material and Method. The facial morphology index calculated according to Martin and Saller classification. The placement of tape on the area where the marking of the Nasion and Gnathion and Zigomaticum points would be carried out. Marking of the Nasion and Gnathion and Zigomatic points was then carried out using a marker and the distance between the Nasion point to the Gnathion point and the distance between the two Zigomatic points was measured using a caliper to obtain the height and width of the face. Teeth samples were placed in saline media in an ointment pot as a medium for transportation and storage. The third apical part of the tooth root was cut with a transverse cut using a carborundum disc. The sample was observed under a light microscope at 100x and 400x magnification. The results were analyzed using the Pearson test. Result: The facial morphology category with a long facial skeleton has the highest average cementum thickness of 228.23μm, while the facial morphology category with a short facial skeleton has the lowest cellular cementum thickness with a value of 99.57μm. The results showed that the highest mesial-distal, buccal-lingual, and average cementum thickness belonged to the 31-35 years age group (491.25 μm, 175.5 μm, and 333.38 μm respectively). The mesial-distal, buccal-lingual, and mean cementum thicknesses were lowest in the 11-15 years age group (124.88 μm, 74.25 μm, and 99.56 μm respectively). Pearson’s test results showed no significant relationship between facial morphological indices based on Martin and Saller’s classification and cementum thickness. Conclusion: There is no significant relationship between facial morphology index based on Martin and Saller classification and cementum thickness.