Dental Calculus Research Articles

Palaeoproteomic investigation of an ancient human skeleton with abnormal deposition of dental calculus

Detailed investigation of extremely severe pathological conditions in ancient human skeletons is important as it could shed light on the breadth of potential interactions between humans and disease etiologies in the past. Here, we applied palaeoproteomics to investigate an ancient human skeletal individual with severe oral pathology, focusing our research on bacterial pathogenic factors and host defense response. This female skeleton, from the Okhotsk period (i.e., fifth to thirteenth century) of Northern Japan, poses relevant amounts of abnormal dental calculus deposition and exhibits oral dysfunction due to severe periodontal disease. A shotgun mass-spectrometry analysis identified 81 human proteins and 15 bacterial proteins from the calculus of the subject. We identified two pathogenic or bioinvasive proteins originating from two of the three “red complex” bacteria, the core species associated with severe periodontal disease in modern humans, as well as two additional bioinvasive proteins of periodontal-associated bacteria. Moreover, we discovered defense response system-associated human proteins, although their proportion was mostly similar to those reported in ancient and modern human individuals with lower calculus deposition. These results suggest that the bacterial etiology was similar and the host defense response was not necessarily more intense in ancient individuals with significant amounts of abnormal dental calculus deposition.

Biting into the truth: Connecting oral pathology and stable isotopes through the paradigmatic example of a hyper-specialized marine diet in Medieval Pontevedra (NW Iberia)

Human feeding patterns have been reconstructed in Archaeology by analysing either oral pathology or stable isotope ratios in human skeletal remains. However, no clear agreement has been developed between these two methodologies. The main objective of this study is to determine if we can establish a link between them when analysing a population with a hyper-specialized diet, in this case marine resources (and millet/maize). To reach this goal we developed a conjoined multi-isotope analysis using collagen and bioapatite (δ13Ccol, δ15Ncol and δ13Ccar) and a detailed study of oral health (caries, antemortem loss, periapical lesions, periodontal disease, calculus, and wear). All available skeletons with at least one preserved tooth from two cemeteries of the medieval town of Pontevedra (n = 34) were studied. The buried individuals belonged to the guild of fishers and artisans, professions which were dominant among the families of medieval Pontevedra. A detailed FTIR-ATR study of extracted bone bioapatite showed a high correlation between bioapatite carbonate content, carbonate typical vibrations, and FTIR-ATR indices related to bone diagenesis, which is in line with previous research. No significant correlations were found with bioapatite yield and isotopic composition (δ13Ccar and Δ13C), ruling out possible diagenetic effects. The diet was based on marine fish protein with contributions of millets (e.g., δ13Ccar -11.9 ± 1.8‰) that seems to be slightly higher in individuals linked to artisanal guilds. The oral pathology study shows severe dental wear from an early age (Grade 2–4 in permanent dentition for 20% of infants and 60% of juveniles in M1), as well as moderate-high presence of caries in permanent dentition (64%, 22/34) and dental calculus (72%, 24/33). Both the oral pathology and the isotopic signal differ from that observed in other areas of the Iberian Peninsula. This study points to the existence of connections between findings of the two methodologies, and specifically an association between intense dental wear and high consumption of marine resources and millet. At the same time, this analysis implies the necessity of caution in estimation of age by dental wear in populations linked to the sea.

Periodontitis and alveolar resorption in human skeletal remains: The relationship between quantitative alveolar bone loss, occlusal wear, antemortem tooth loss, dental calculus and age at death in a low socioeconomic status, modern forensic human collection from Yucatan

ObjectiveThis paper assesses the relationship between the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and alveolar crest and risk factors commonly associated with periodontitis. MaterialsEighty individuals between 28 and 92 years old with known biological sex and age were analyzed from a 20th century forensic human collection from Merida, Yucatan (Mexico). MethodsMacroscopic assessment, along with metric analysis, was employed using a probe. ResultsAnte-mortem tooth loss was positively correlated with the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and alveolar crest, as was the presence of root calculus in females. ConclusionsCemento-enamel junction to alveolar crest distance is not a reliable indicator of periodontitis since it is not directly related to periodontitis-causing infectious pathogens, and since ante-mortem tooth loss can affect root exposure. SignificanceThis study demonstrates that a purely quantitative approach to diagnosing periodontitis in archaeological and forensic human remains can be misleading. LimitationsThe skeletal collection is only representative of the low socioeconomic class of Merida, and its female cohort is underrepresented. In addition, because the Xoclan collection is modern, limitations (particularly with respect to tooth wear) of the applicability of these interpretations to older archaeological remains exist. Suggestion for further researchA combination of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of alveolar bone is needed to reliably diagnose periodontitis in skeletal populations.

Benchmarking a targeted 16S ribosomal RNA gene enrichment approach to reconstruct ancient microbial communities.

The taxonomic characterization of ancient microbiomes is a key step in the rapidly growing field of paleomicrobiology. While PCR amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene is a widely used technique in modern microbiota studies, this method has systematic biases when applied to ancient microbial DNA. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing has proven to be the most effective method in reconstructing taxonomic profiles of ancient dental calculus samples. Nevertheless, shotgun sequencing approaches come with inherent limitations that could be addressed through hybridization enrichment capture. When employed together, shotgun sequencing and hybridization capture have the potential to enhance the characterization of ancient microbial communities. Here, we develop, test, and apply a hybridization enrichment capture technique to selectively target 16S rRNA gene fragments from the libraries of ancient dental calculus samples generated with shotgun techniques. We simulated data sets generated from hybridization enrichment capture, indicating that taxonomic identification of fragmented and damaged 16S rRNA gene sequences was feasible. Applying this enrichment approach to 15 previously published ancient calculus samples, we observed a 334-fold increase of ancient 16S rRNA gene fragments in the enriched samples when compared to unenriched libraries. Our results suggest that 16S hybridization capture is less prone to the effects of background contamination than 16S rRNA amplification, yielding a higher percentage of on-target recovery. While our enrichment technique detected low abundant and rare taxa within a given sample, these assignments may not achieve the same level of specificity as those achieved by unenriched methods.

Direct evidence of plant consumption in Neolithic Eastern Sudan from dental calculus analysis.

The Neolithic communities of Eastern Sudan combined intensive pastoralism with plant exploitation as their main subsistence strategies. However, to date, it remains unclear which plant species were part of the human diet during the Neolithic. This contribution presents direct data on plant consumption in Eastern Sudan from the Early to Late Neolithic, obtained through the analysis of microdebris inclusions in the dental calculus of 37 individuals, integrated by dentoalveolar pathology analysis of 78 individuals, from the sites UA53 (4th millennium BCE) and Mahal Teglinos (3rd-2nd millennium BCE), located in the Gash Delta/Kassala region. Dental calculus inclusions indicate a diverse intake of cereals, legumes, and tubers during the Middle Neolithic, thus supporting the hypothesis of high reliance on plant resources. Dentoalveolar pathologies, possibly related to the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods, have also been recorded. For the Late Neolithic, consistent with the shift towards aridity that occurred in the Middle/Late Holocene, dental calculus exclusively indicates the exploitation of sorghum and tubers-species well adapted to arid conditions-showing how the Neolithic communities modified their subsistence in response to environmental changes. Evidence of plant processing techniques, such as cooking/heating, was also revealed from the dental calculus analysis.

Windows into the past: recent scientific techniques in dental analysis

Teeth are the hardest and most chemically stable tissues in the body, are well-preserved in archaeological remains and, being resistant to decomposition in the soil, survive long after their supporting structures have deteriorated. It has long been recognised that visual and radiographic examination of teeth can provide considerable information relating to the lifestyle of an individual. This paper examines the latest scientific approaches that have become available to investigate recent and ancient teeth. These techniques include DNA analysis, which can be used to determine the sex of an individual, indicate familial relationships, study population movements, provide phylogenetic information and identify the presence of disease pathogens. A stable isotopic approach can shed light on aspects of diet and mobility and even research climate change. Proteomic analysis of ancient dental calculus can reveal specific information about individual diets. Synchrotron microcomputed tomography is a non-invasive technique which can be used to visualise physiological impactful events, such as parturition, menopause and diseases in cementum microstructure - these being displayed as aberrant growth lines.

Microparticles from dental calculus disclose paleoenvironmental and palaeoecological records.

Plants have always represented a key element in landscape delineation. Indeed, plant diversity, whose distribution is influenced by geographic/climatic variability, has affected both environmental and human ecology. The present contribution represents a multi-proxy study focused on the detection of starch, pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs in ancient dental calculus collected from pre-historical individuals buried at La Sassa and Pila archaeological sites (Central Italy). The collected record suggested the potential use of plant taxa by the people living in Central Italy during the Copper-Middle Bronze Age and expanded the body of evidence reported by previous palynological and palaeoecological studies. The application of a microscopic approach provided information about domesticated crops and/or gathered wild plants and inferred considerations on ancient environments, water sources, and past health and diseases. Moreover, the research supplied data to define the natural resources (e.g., C4-plant intake) and the social use of the space during that period. Another important aspect was the finding of plant clues referable to woody habitats, characterised by broad-leaved deciduous taxa and generally indicative of a warm-temperate climate and grassy vegetation. Other unusual records (e.g., diatoms, brachysclereids) participated in defining the prehistoric ecological framework. Thus, this work provides an overview on the potential of the human dental calculus analysis to delineate some features of the ancient plant ecology and biodiversity.

First archaeological evidence for ginger consumption as a potential medicinal ingredient in a late medieval leprosarium at St Leonard, Peterborough, England

Leprosy was one of the most outwardly visible diseases in the European Middle Ages, a period during which leprosaria were founded to provide space for the sick. The extant documentary evidence for leprosy hospitals, especially in relation to diet, therapeutic, and medical care, is limited. However, human dental calculus stands to be an important source of information as it provides insight into the substances people were exposed to and accumulated in their bodies during their lives. In the present study, microremains and DNA were analysed from the calculus of individuals buried in the late medieval cemetery of St Leonard, a leprosarium located in Peterborough, England. The results show the presence of ginger (Zingiber officinale), a culinary and medicinal ingredient, as well as evidence of consumption of cereals and legumes. This research suggests that affected individuals consumed ingredients mentioned in medieval medical textbooks that were used to treat regions of the body typically impacted by leprosy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study which has identified Zingiber officinale in human dental calculus in England or on the wider European continent.

Oral health status and associated factors among 12 to 15-year-old Chinese adolescents in Southeast China: A cross-sectional study.

This study assessed oral health conditions and associated factors (including sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported oral health-related behaviors) among Chinese adolescents. This cross-sectional study enrolled 3840 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years from 12 middle schools in Foshan, Southeast China, in 2016, using multistage, stratified cluster sampling. Participants underwent a clinical oral examination and completed a questionnaire. The prevalence of dental caries, probe bleeding, and calculus was 37.6%, 46.2%, and 39.7%, respectively; the mean decayed/missed/filled teeth index was 0.86 ± 1.58. A mean of 2.09 ± 3.65 and 1.85 ± 3.52 teeth showed probe bleeding and calculus, respectively. Only 0.3% and 0.1% of adolescents aged 15 years had periodontal pockets (depth ≥ 4 mm) and attachment loss, respectively, which were most common in tooth positions 46 and 36 (Federation Dentaire International 2-digit system). Regarding oral health-related behavior, 49.1% of the participants failed to brush their teeth at least twice daily, 98.5% never or rarely used dental floss, and 58.7% reported middle-high frequency sugar consumption. Older age, female, administrative region, maternal education lower than university, brushing teeth less than twice daily, flossing less than once daily, and frequent sugar consumption were significant risk factors of caries. Older age, female, administrative region, brushing less than twice daily, and flossing less than once daily significantly increased periodontal risk. Despite the overall low prevalence of adverse dental conditions among adolescents in Foshan, their oral hygiene habits were undeveloped. Thus, their identified risk factors need close monitoring, and families, schools, communities, and the government should jointly promote adolescents' oral health.

Giant Dental Calculus Mimicking a Tumor: A Case Report

Dental calculus consists of mineralized bacterial plaque that forms on the surfaces of natural teeth and dental prostheses. Giant dental calculus mimicking a tumor is an unusual presentation. Buccal surfaces of the maxillary molars and the lingual surfaces of the mandibular anterior teeth are the most common location for calculus deposition. This case report presents a case of giant dental calculus mimicking a tumor on the labial surface of the mandible and its diagnostic dilemma, treatment and role of proper oral hygiene measures.

Working Ethically with Ancient DNA from Composites in the United States

AbstractThis article discusses ethical frameworks for planning and implementing composite research in the United States. Composites, defined here as archaeological materials with multiple genetic sources, include materials such as sediment, coprolites, birch pitch, and dental calculus. Although composites are increasingly used in genetic research, the ethical considerations of their use in ancient DNA studies have not been widely discussed. Here, we consider how composites’ compositions, contexts, and potential to act as proxies can affect research plans and offer an overview of the primary ethical concerns of ancient DNA research. It is our view that ethical principles established for analyses of Ancestral remains and related materials can be used to inform research plans when working with composite evidence. This work also provides a guide to archaeologists unfamiliar with genetics analyses in planning research when using composite evidence from the United States with a focus on collaboration, having a clear research plan, and using lab methods that provide the desired data with minimal destruction. Following the principles discussed in this article and others allows for engaging in composite research while creating and maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders.

Paleomicrobiology: Tracking the past microbial life from single species to entire microbial communities.

By deciphering information encoded in degraded ancient DNA extracted from up to million-years-old samples, molecular paleomicrobiology enables to objectively retrace the temporal evolution of microbial species and communities. Assembly of full-length genomes of ancient pathogen lineages allows not only to follow historical epidemics in space and time but also to identify the acquisition of genetic features that represent landmarks in the evolution of the host-microbe interaction. Analysis of microbial community DNA extracted from essentially human paleo-artefacts (paleofeces, dental calculi) evaluates the relative contribution of diet, lifestyle and geography on the taxonomic and functional diversity of these guilds in which have been identified species that may have gone extinct in today's human microbiome. As for non-host-associated environmental samples, such as stratified sediment cores, analysis of their DNA illustrates how and at which pace microbial communities are affected by local or widespread environmental disturbance. Description of pre-disturbance microbial diversity patterns can aid in evaluating the relevance and effectiveness of remediation policies. We finally discuss how recent achievements in paleomicrobiology could contribute to microbial biotechnology in the fields of medical microbiology and food science to trace the domestication of microorganisms used in food processing or to illustrate the historic evolution of food processing microbial consortia.

Status of the oral environment in patients with digestive system tumors during the perioperative period.

Surgery is an important treatment modality for patients with digestive system tumors, and perioperative management is crucial for the patients' recovery and quality of life. During the perioperative period, significant changes can occur in the oral environment of patients, such as dry mouth, mucosal ulceration, and oral infections. These issues not only cause discomfort to the patients but may also affect postoperative recovery and treatment outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to investigate and analyze the oral environment during the perioperative period in patients with digestive system tumors. This study aims to investigate the oral health status in patients with digestive system tumors during the perioperative period and analyze the influencing factors. In this retrospective study, a total of 242 patients with digestive system tumors admitted to The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University from September 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the study population (patient group). During the same period, 245 healthy volunteers who received oral examinations were selected as the healthy group. The study compared the oral hygiene environment of the two groups, including the Dental Plaque Index (DI), Calculus Index (CI), and Periodontal Disease Index (PDI). Measurements were taken at admission (T0), 1 hour before surgery (T1), and 3 days after surgery (T2). Based on the PDI index, the patient group was divided into a periodontal disease group (PDI ≥ 3, n = 196) and a periodontal healthy group (PDI < 3, n = 46). The risk factors for the development of periodontal disease in digestive system tumor patients were analyzed, considering variables such as gender, age, BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption frequency, monthly income, tumor type, oral self-care habits, low-grade inflammation, and nutritional status. The DI, CI and PDI indexes in patient group were higher than those in healthy group (3.23±0.64 vs 1.46±0.43, 1.92±0.46 vs 1.21±0.41, 3.83±0.79 vs 2.65±0.69, all P < 0.05). DI index, CI index and PDI index at T1 and T2 were significantly lower than those at T0 (P < 0.05), and these indices at T2 were slightly higher than T1, but the difference was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Multivariate analyses identified high levels of high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein [OR: 15.070 (1.611-140.951)], low levels of hemoglobin [OR: 0.239 (0.058-0.981)], and presence of dental caries [OR: 246.737 (1.160-52464.597)] as risk factors associated with periodontal disease in patients with digestive system tumors. It is important to enhance the attention and management of the oral environment during the perioperative period for patients with digestive system tumors.

Epidemiological investigation of feline chronic gingivostomatitis and its relationship with oral microbiota in Xi'an, China.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is an ulcerative and/or proliferative disease that typically affects the palatoglossal folds. Because of its unknown pathogenesis and long disease course, it is difficult to treat and has a high recurrence rate. Most of the bacteria in the oral microbiota exist in the mouth symbiotically and maintain a dynamic balance, and when the balance is disrupted, they may cause disease. Disturbance of the oral microbiota may play an important role in the development of FCGS. In this study, the medical records of 3109 cats in three general pet hospitals in Xi 'an were collected. Sixty-one cats with FCGS were investigated via questionnaires, routine oral examinations and laboratory examinations. Oral microbiota samples were collected from 16 FCGS-affected cats, and microbial species were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. The results showed that the incidence of FCGS had no significant correlation with age, sex or breed. However, the incidence of FCGS was associated with immunization, a history of homelessness and multicat rearing environments. The number of neutrophils and the serum amyloid A concentration were increased, and the percentage of cells positive for calicivirus antigen was high in all cases. All the cats had different degrees of dental calculus, and there were problems such as loss of alveolar bone or tooth resorption. Compared with those in healthy cats, the bacterial diversity and the abundance of anaerobic bacteria were significantly increased in cats with FCGS. Porphyromonas, Treponemas and Fusobacterium were abundant in the mouths of the affected cats and may be potential pathogens of FCGS. After tooth extraction, a shift could be seen in the composition of the oral microbiota in cats with FCGS. An isolated bacteria obtained from the mouths of the affected cats was homologous to P. gulae. Both the identified oral microbiota and the isolated strain of the cats with FCGS had high sensitivity to enrofloxacin and low sensitivity to metronidazole. This study provides support to current clinical criteria in diagnosing FCGS and proposes a more suitable antibiotic therapy.

Ovoid pontics in the aesthetic management of the upper anterior sector. Case report

Tooth loss in the anterior sector causes not only functional alterations, but also aesthetic ones that alter people's quality of life, which is why its rehabilitation is one of the most common demands of patients in dentistry. One of the techniques used for the aesthetic management of partial edentulism is ovoid pontics. The clinical case of a 46-year-old female patient treated at the dental and aesthetic surgery postgraduate clinic of the San Gregorio de Portoviejo University, for the rehabilitation of the edentulous upper anterior sector, is reported. After the clinical radiographic study, the diagnosis and a comprehensive and interdisciplinary treatment plan were established, which included: oral prophylaxis, removal of dental calculus, endodontics, dental surgery, surgical procedure for modeling the gingival ridge, and creation of ovoid pontics with Zirconium. The ovoid pontic made with zirconium to rehabilitate the anterior areas of the oral cavity is an excellent option that meets the aesthetic and functional expectations of the patient

A mixed method study to assess orodental problems and barriers to utilisation of orodental care in pregnant ladies of Himachal Pradesh

Background: The hormonal changes along with decreased salivation during pregnancy result in many orodental problems. The existing orodental conditions worsen due to barriers to the utilisation of orodental care during pregnancy. The objective of this study is to assess orodental problems and barriers to utilisation of orodenatl care in pregnant ladies Methods: Sample size is calculated using Cochran’s formula. The Purposive sampling technique was used to select hospitals and pregnant women from OPD of the gynecology and obstetrics department of hospitals selected in Himachal Pradesh. Using DMFT and CPI index, interview schedules the study's specific objectives are achieved. Results: Out of a sample of 112, 92.8% of pregnant women had dental caries, 34.8% of pregnant women had got restorative treatment and 25.8% had their teeth extracted. The majority of pregnant women (51.8%) had dental calculus and (29.5%) shallow periodontal pockets. The system, personal, and caregiver-related barriers are responsible for the underutilisation of orodental care among pregnant women. Conclusions: This study concluded many pregnant women face orodental problems along with a major factor of lack of dental education and no dental insurance associated with their orodental problems.

The Relationship Between Toothbrushing Habits and the Prevalence of Caries and Calculus in School-Age Children Grades 1-6 at Galilea Hosana School Elementary School, Medan Selayang District of North Sumatra, Indonesia

School-aged children constitute a demographic that encounters dental and oral health issues. Poor oral and dental hygiene is associated with the development of caries and calculus. The objective of the study was to establish the relationship between teeth brushing practices and the occurrence of dental caries and calculus in elementary school children from grades 1-6 at Galilea Hosana School, located in the Medan Selayang District of North Sumatra. The research conducted at Galilea Hosana School Elementary School, Medan Selayang District, is a descriptive-analytic study with a cross-sectional design. The research sample consisted of 64 elementary school pupils enrolled at Galilea Hosana School, located in the Medan Selayang District. The students were from grades 1 to 6. The data were gathered through the administration of questionnaires and the physical inspection of the mouth cavity and teeth. The Kruskal-Wallis statistical test was employed to examine the data. The research findings indicated that the mean calculus score for students was 1.40 ± 0.74, which falls within the category of moderate calculus. On the other hand, the average scores for caries DEFT and DMFT among students were 2.02 ± 2.36 and 1.42 ± 2.06, respectively, placing them in the low caries category. Out of the total number of students, 29 (45.3%) had sufficient tooth-brushing habits, while 19 kids (29.7%) had commendable tooth-brushing practices. Only 16 students (25%) had inadequate tooth-brushing habits. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a statistically significant association (p≤0.05) between teeth brushing behaviors and the occurrence of caries and calculus in school-age children in grades 1-6 at Galilea Hosana School Elementary School, located in the Medan Selayang District of North Sumatra. The research findings indicate a direct relationship between poor tooth-brushing habits and increased levels of calculus and caries.

Oral paleopathological investigation of the Avar period (6–7th c. CE) population from Nagykőrös

The main goal of the research is to widen our knowledge about oral health during the Early Avar Period (6–7th c. CE). We used the individual and tooth count method to record abrasion, caries, antemortem tooth loss, periapical lesions, linear enamel hypoplasia, calculus and dental trauma of 26 individuals from the Nagykőrös-Kovács tanya site (9 males, 6 females, 11 subadults). The examination of the remains showed the noteworthy presence of dental abrasion and calculus among subadults, which increased with age. Only the tooth count analysis revealed a significant difference between the adults, as females had more teeth with caries and hypoplasia, while for calculus males had increased intensity in their dentition. The comparison with Late Avar Period skeletal assemblages from other geographic regions indicated possible spatial or temporal trends of oral health.

Reactive lesions of oral cavity

Oral mucosa is constantly subjected to various external and internal stimuli that leads to various reactive lesions. They are non-neoplastic in nature, but clinically these lesions closely mimic benign neoplastic lesions leading the clinician to misdiagnosis and sub-optimal treatment. Reactive lesions are typically occurring as a response to chronic inflammation caused by various forms of low-grade chronic irritations to the oral mucosa such as dental plaque and calculus, sharp edges of grossly carious teeth, faulty dental restorations, chronic biting habits, ill-fitting dental/oral appliances and food impactions. This review article summarizes the various reactive lesions of oral cavity and their distinctive histopathologic features.

The evidential value of dental calculus in the identification process

DNA analysis-based identification is by far the gold standard in forensic genetics and it should be performed in every case involving human remains or unidentified bodies. Bones and teeth are the preferred source of human DNA for genetic analysis. However, there are cases where the nature of the proceedings and historical significance prevent the disruption of skeletal structure. The remains may also be heavily degraded. In such situations, forensic geneticists seek alternative sources of human DNA. Teeth calculus has proven to be a viable source of DNA for identification purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of human DNA in teeth calculus and evaluate the usefulness of teeth calculus as a DNA source in the identification process. Teeth calculus was collected from skeletons exhumed between 2021 and 2022 by the PBGOT (Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism) team from the former Stalag IID prisoner-of-war camp in Stargard. Genetic analyses included the determination of autosomal and Y-STR markers. The total concentration of human DNA was also evaluated in samples from teeth calculus and teeth taken from the same individuals. The pilot study included 22 skeletons with a sufficient amount of calculus for isolation (specified in the protocol). Samples were taken from the largest areas of calculus deposited on lingual surfaces of mandibular incisors. The prepared samples underwent DNA extraction. Our study demonstrated that teeth calculus is a source of human DNA for remains from the World War II period. The obtained DNA concentration allowed for the determination of STR markers. It was shown that teeth calculus contains human DNA in an amount suitable for preliminary identification analyses.