Comportamiento del color de discos y restauraciones en resina compuesta sometidos a altas temperatura con fines forenses

The objective for this study was to determine the color behavior of discs and composite resin restorations subjected to high temperature for forensic purposes. For this, a descriptive study of pseudo-experimental nature was made, to describing in vitro colorimetric changes that occur on the surface of 75 disks and 75 class I composite resin restorations (Z100 3M-ESPE®) made in five colors (A1, A2, A3, A3.5 and B2), when subjected to the action of high temperatures (200 ºC, 400 ºC, 600 ºC, 800 ºC y 1,000 ºC); in order to set parameters from the color change that can be applied to the forensic dental identification methods in the case of bodies or human remains burnt, charred or incinerated. The color changes can be explained by spectrometry. A composite resin subjected to 200 ºC loses brightness and hue; to 400 ºC wins brightness, hue and saturation; to 600 ºC, 800 ºC and 1,000 ºC lost brightness, hue and saturation. No significant differences in the color coordinates L * a * b * to compare discs with the restored teeth, so the test bodies were suitable to test with the commercial composite resin system ESPE® 3M-Z100. In conclusion, the visual interpretation of color change and the L * a * b * color coordinates through the use of a spectrometer becomes a comparative forensic method application inexpensive when identifying the type and color a restorative material in a human remains burnt, charred or incinerated, to obtain positive markers for the antemortem-postmortem comparison and estimate the maximum temperature reached.