Changes in Tooth Colour as a Function of Heat

Abstract

Several studies have been undertaken recently on burnt human teeth in order to determine the temperatures to
which the teeth have been subjected. Both present-day tooth material that has been subjected to some type of fire
and cremated archaeological remains have been used. With this objective, present-day extracted teeth are burnt
in the laboratory at temperatures between 200 and 1,000°C for 60 minutes and modifications are observed in the
colour and structure of the teeth as a function of the degree of ustion. Similar studies carried out by others are also
discussed, in particular, those done with various temperatures and durations. A reference table has been created
so that the macroscopic observation of remains of burnt teeth can be correlated with cremation temperatures