A preliminary report: proximal facet analysis and the recovery of trace restorative materials from unrestored teeth.

A small sample of unrestored teeth with wear facets on the proximal surfaces was examined using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDS) analysis. Initial results indicate the potential of this technique for detection of residual restorative materials in these facet areas, and its resulting capability to determine the existence and composition of unrecovered adjacent restorations. The potential value of this technique in the identification of incomplete dental remains is discussed.