Forensic periodontology: an overview

Forensic odontology is a speciality that relates dental evidence to investigation. The application of forensic techniques in identification, criminal justice and dental liability is being practiced widely worldwide. There has not been substantial literature dedicated towards the upcoming branch in medical sciences that is forensic medicine despite the leaps in modern technology, medical breakthroughs and the geographical changes that the last century has seen. Periodontics is a science which deals with diseases of periodontium. The study of the periodontal structures post mortem can help in the identification, determination of time of death, sex determination along with age estimation of the deceased. This article highlights the importance of Forensic Periodontology and reviews the role of the periodontist in the same. Dentists can assist those involved in criminal investigations by identifying the victims of crime and disaster through dental records, most common role of the forensic dentist is the identification of deceased individuals. . On the recent scenerio, periodontists have identified the features of ante mortem and postmortem changes in the periodontium. Thus, in the coming era, periodontist could also play an important role in forensic odontology.