Tooth as a Key Source of DNA in Forensic Odontology and Dental Anthropology – A Case Series

Abstract Figuring out who someone is matters a lot when legal and medical worlds collide especially if the body is burned, badly damaged, or reduced to bones. Fingerprint checks or trying to match faces usually fail when remains are too far gone. Yet DNA testing stands strong here, trusted because it rarely gets things wrong. Of all the places to pull genetic material from, teeth keep showing up as unusually tough survivors. Hidden inside enamel armor, their insides resist rot, heat, and time better than most tissues do. Teeth often prove more reliable than bone when it comes to extracting usable DNA, especially after long periods or harsh exposure. From crime scenes to ancient burial sites, real world examples show how vital dental material can be for identification. Instead of relying on skeletal fragments alone, investigators frequently turn to molars and incisors because they shield genetic material better. Preservation inside dentin and pulp remains stronger over time, even when surroundings break down. Different methods exist for pulling out this DNA, yet success rates stay higher with teeth across nearly all approaches tested so far. Profiling technologies now make it easier to work with what these hard tissues offer. Historical puzzles get solved not just through documents but through the silent record held in enamel covered structures. Each case reviewed points toward one conclusion - when samples degrade, teeth still deliver. Teeth can tell who a person is, plus give clues about their sex, how old they were, or where they might have lived. When experts mix dental analysis with skeletal studies, matching identities gets more reliable. What this work shows is clear - teeth matter deeply in solving legal cases involving human remains.