forensic odontology

noun

: a branch of forensic medicine dealing with teeth and marks left by teeth (as in identifying criminal suspects or the remains of a dead person)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami revealed the lack of forensic infrastructure in the country, and Padmanaban reports on how practices like forensic odontology, which uses dental expertise, can be a reliable way to identify victims. —

Longreads, 2 Dec. 2022 An Amador County sheriff's investigator and dentist who specializes in forensic odontology, finding evidence through teeth and dental records, confirmed the remains belong to Gabe, the department said. —

Dennis Romero, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forensic odontology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of forensic odontology was in 1952

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near forensic odontology

forensic chemistry

forensic odontology

fore-oath

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Forensic odontology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forensic%20odontology. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

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