Jaw Resection
Definition
Surgical removal of the mandible and/or maxillary alveolus from the body to allow better radiographic positioning and more thorough examination. An irreversible procedure requiring documented justification and pathologist authorisation.
- Structure removed
- Mandible and/or maxillary alveolus
- Reversibility
- Irreversible
- Requires
- Documented justification, pathologist authorisation
- Purpose
- Better radiographic positioning, thorough dental exam
Common questions
Why is jaw resection sometimes necessary for dental identification?+
Positioning an intact jaw for standard dental radiographs can be difficult on a decomposed or fragmented body, and resection allows the jaw to be radiographed and examined outside the constraints of the remaining skull and soft tissue, improving comparison against antemortem dental records.
What safeguards apply before a jaw resection is performed?+
Because the procedure is irreversible and alters the body, it requires documented justification for why less invasive examination was insufficient and formal authorisation from the supervising pathologist, consistent with standard chain-of-custody and informed procedural controls in postmortem dental examination.
Related terms
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- Orthopantomogram (OPG/panoramic)
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