PhD Scientific Days 2025

Dental Research

A Mathematical Model for the Scientific Definition of Class Characteristics in the Human Anterior Maxilla

Name of the presenter

Simon Botond

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University

Authors

Botond Simon¹, Sára Szilágyi², Kenneth Aschheim³, János Vág¹

1: Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University
2: Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University
3: New York University College of Dentistry, New York, USA

Text of the abstract

Introduction:
The reliability of bitemark recognition in forensic science has long been criticized for its lack of objectivity and empirical foundation. Despite ongoing debate about the classification of certain injuries as bitemarks, patterned injuries still require legal documentation and analysis. Forensic odontology may benefit from methodologies used in aesthetic dentistry, particularly metric analysis, to define human dentition and assess whether a given pattern resembles a dental arch. Furthermore, earlier efforts to individualize bitemarks have indirectly contributed to identifying class characteristics of human dentition. While objective quantification is essential, it is equally important to establish whether these characteristics are unique to humans and can be reliably transferred to substrates such as skin.
Aims:
To identify and mathematically describe variations in the maxillary dental arch to support more objective assessments in forensic odontology.
Method:
Digital scans of the maxilla were collected from 100 individuals (50% male, 50% female) using two intraoral scanners. Intercuspal distance and parabolic curvature (expressed as y = ax² + bx + c) were measured and analyzed.
Results:
The average intercuspal distance between maxillary canines was 33.8 mm (SD = 2.25 mm; range: 29.0–39.6 mm). Quadratic regression using a Linear Mixed Model (LMM) produced the following equations:
• Mean curve: y = 0.040x² – 0.0008x – 1.581
• Upper limit: y = 0.047x² – 0.0039x + 2.593
• Lower limit: y = 0.032x² – 0.0012x – 5.754
Conclusion:
Quadratic regression analysis provides an objective mathematical model for characterizing the maxillary dental arch. Findings suggest that human dental arches exhibit consistent class characteristics within a narrow range, offering a potentially reliable tool for forensic evaluation.
Funding:
Supported by the EKÖP-2024-10 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.