Is any genetic information taken from my teeth?

Your teeth will not be used for any genome sequencing or other genetics studies. The only analyses that will ever be performed on them will be isotopic or elemental chemical analyses.

Why do you want teeth?

Teeth, particularly wisdom teeth, are valuable for isotopic studies because they preserve a record of the environment an individual was exposed to during adolescence. The enamel in teeth remains chemically stable over time, making it an ideal material for analyzing oxygen isotope ratios. These ratios reflect the water an individual consumed, which is influenced by the geographic region where they lived. By studying the isotopic composition of teeth, we can create a geographic "fingerprint" that helps link individuals to specific locations, aiding in forensic identification efforts.

Will the study provide information about or benefits to my health?

The data collected by the study will not tell us anything about your health or provide any health benefits. We are measuring minor, natural variations in the chemistry of your teeth, which are not associated with health status or outcomes.

How do I donate my teeth to the study?

If you have had your wisdom teeth extracted and saved your teeth, or if you’re planning to have your wisdom teeth extracted, fill out our survey with some basic life history and contact information. If you qualify for the study, our study coordinator will contact you with instructions for submitting your teeth.

Is there any cost to participate?

There is no cost to you to take part in this study beyond the normal dental care costs already associated with your extraction. Although the project cannot cover the cost of your extraction procedure or associated care, you do have the option to receive a $35 gift card for completing the survey and submitting your extracted teeth.

Is my dentist allowed to give me my extracted teeth?

Yes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dental providers are allowed to give extracted teeth to the patient. Some providers may tell you otherwise; in that case you can try pointing your provider to the guidance on the CDC website and telling them that you need the extracted teeth to participate in a humanitarian research study.

My child is having/has had their wisdom teeth extracted. Can they participate?

We can only accept teeth from people 18 years or older. We anticipate our study will continue to collect teeth at least through 2025, and individuals who are not yet 18 are welcome to save their teeth and sign up for the study when they turn 18.

Is the government going to have access to my information?

No, your personal information will not be shared with the government. Only verified researchers working on this study have access to identifying details, and all data is de-identified before being used in our research. While our project is funded by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), we prioritize your privacy and confidentiality. The information we collect is strictly for scientific purposes to build the isotope database, and no identifying information is shared beyond our research team.

Why wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are an ideal sample for this research because their isotopic composition reflects an individual’s geographic history. 

What is the process?

Once received, your teeth will be sterilized and then analyzed. The data from your teeth will be added to our larger dataset. We are building a robust database of oxygen isotope signatures from across the U.S., and this data will help us build predictive modeling tools for human identification. 

Your wisdom teeth can provide critical data to:

What is the DPAA?

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is dedicated to providing the fullest possible accounting for U.S. service members missing from past conflicts. To date, they have successfully identified over 3,400 individuals, bringing closure to families across the nation.