Dental evaluation specificity in orofacial damage assessment: a serial case study

Cristina Figueiredo, Joana Coelho, Diana Pedrosa, Catarina Caetano, Francisco Corte-Real, Duarte Nuno Vieira, Ana Corte-Real*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: The evaluation of medico-legal post-traumatic events has been increasing over the last decades. This study analysed the input of dental evaluation in orofacial damage assessment, highlighting the individual's biopsychosocial model, by a serial case study. It is aimed to analyse the physical as well as the psychological repercussions of traumatic events. It also aimed to relate the type of trauma impact with the individual's sequelae. Material and method: An observational and retrospective study was carried out of Portuguese medico-legal database. A serial case study was distinguished by the direction of the impact: frontal striking, lateral striking and clashing with a bidirectional (frontal-lateral). Results and discussion: 7 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria, as a pilot study. They have in common the involvement of the 2 lower thirds of the face, including the temporomandibular joint. The consolidation of the maxillary bone fractures does not always correspond to restituto ad integrum. Conclusion: The impact direction may guide clinical examination in detecting permanent impairment, emphasizing temporomandibular joint disorders, as well as their association with psychosocial repercussions. The medical-dental examination is differentiating and relevant to the accomplishment of the general objective of damage assessment.
Original languageEnglish
Article number101861
JournalJournal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume68
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2019

Keywords

  • Damage assessment
  • Dental evaluation
  • Oral facial trauma
  • Temporomandibular jaw

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dental evaluation specificity in orofacial damage assessment: a serial case study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this