Presence of postmortem pink tooth in forensic odontology

Abstract

Introduction. The prevalence of the phenomenon of the appearance of pink teeth, demonstrating as a potentially relevant thanatological finding in the forensic process, characterized by presenting a reddish color change due to the blood staining of its pulp that is given by hemoglobin, existing in the blood cells that begin to disarticulate and develop deoxyhemoglobin, appearing in the body with a red to purple color, specifically in the teeth after death. Objective. To know the prevalence of the post-mortem pink tooth phenomenon in forensic odontology due to unnatural deaths. Methodology. Descriptive bibliographic research, scientific articles related to the topic from the last 5 years. Results and discussion. Information has been selected in relation to the pink tooth phenomenon, demonstrating the histological changes that the dental pulp undergoes post-mortem, identifying the main associated factors and the technique that allows the study of this phenomenon to be identified, considering it an essential element in the forensic context. Conclusion. A direct relationship between the postmortem pink tooth and the cause of death is not established, since scientifically it cannot be attributed to this phenomenon. General area of ​​study: Dentistry. Specific area of ​​study: Forensic odontology. Type of study: Literature review.