Abstract

Background: Most of the protocols described for obtaining DNA from dental tissues are methods that involve major laboratory equipment and many hours of work. They are also methodologies that almost destroy the tooth. Aim: Our aim was to develop an innovative workflow for optimizing dental DNA extraction from teeth. Our methodological proposal is a new workflow for obtaining dental DNA for human genetic identity using Dental Forensic Kit (DFK (R)) and Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE (TM)) DNA extraction kit. Methods: Two different dental samples groups were assayed with DFK (R) and FFPE (TM). The first group corresponded to extracted teeth from living donors and the second group was considered in real conditions with challenging teeth from corpses. Genomic Dental DNA was amplified and genotyped with platforms Identifiler Plus (TM), Power Plex 21 (TM) and Global Filer (TM) kits. Results: Our workflow was useful in obtaining dental DNA and partial and complete genetic profiles, from teeth of both study groups. DFK (R) kit worked in a conservative treatment of teeth generating dental tissues (pulp and cement) and FFPE (TM) for DNA extraction was a very cheap, quick and easy method for obtaining genomic dental DNA. Conclusions: The innovative method and the workflow proposed herein allows obtaining robust and reliable genetic profiles, from dental tissues. DFK (R) kit works optimizing the treatment of dental tissues and FFPE (TM) demonstrates a new use in forensic genetics.