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)

Examples of forensic odontology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forensic odontology was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near forensic odontology

Cite this Entry

“Forensic odontology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forensic%20odontology. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

forensic odontology

noun
: a branch of forensic medicine that deals with teeth and marks left by teeth (as in identifying the remains of a dead person)
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