Crack Propagation in Teeth: A Comparison of Perimortem and Postmortem Behavior of Dental Materials and Cracks *

  This study presents a new method for understanding postmortem heat‐induced crack propagation patterns in teeth. The results demonstrate that patterns of postmortem heat‐induced crack propagation differ from perimortem and antemortem trauma‐induced crack propagation patterns. Dental material of the postmortem tooth undergoes dehydration leading to a shrinking and more brittle dentin material and a weaker dentin‐enamel junction. Dentin intertubule tensile stresses are amplified by the presence of the pulp cavity, and initiates crack propagation from the internal dentin, through the dentin‐enamel junction and lastly the enamel. In contrast, in vivo perimortem and antemortem trauma‐induced crack propagation initiates cracking from the external surface of the enamel toward the dentin‐enamel junction where the majority of the energy of the crack is dissipated, eliminating the crack’s progress into the dentin. These unique patterns of crack propagation can be used to differentiate postmortem taphonomy‐induced damage from antemortem and perimortem trauma in teeth.