Mihaela-Monica Popa

Dr. Mihaela-Monica Popa


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 May 2026 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LULarisa Adela Udriștioiu
Larisa Adela Udriștioiu
MEMarius Enǎchescu
Marius Enǎchescu
ACAlexia-Ecaterina Cârstea
Alexia-Ecaterina Cârstea
George Cristian CurcaGeorge Cristian Curca
George Cristian Curca
MPMihaela-Monica Popa
Mihaela-Monica Popa
MAMihai Andrei
Mihai Andrei
Teeth may retain forensic value after chemical exposure, yet the effects of commercially available corrosive agents remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated short-term alteration patterns in human teeth exposed to household acidic and alkaline products available on the Romanian market. Five extracted mandibular third molars were analyzed, including four experimental teeth and one control. Each experimental tooth was fully immersed for 48 h in a different agent: hydrochloric acid descaler, sodium hypochlorite bleach, mixed hydrochloric/sulfuric acid descaler, or sodium hydroxide. Morphometric changes, mass, and pH were monitored serially, while stereomicroscopy, SEM-EDX, and hard tissue ground sections were used for structural and compositional assessment. Acid-exposed teeth showed the greatest damage, with major mass loss in the hydrochloric acid and mixed-acid samples, enamel loss, and marked microstructural disruption. The mixed-acid specimen exhibited the most severe collapse and near-complete calcium/phosphorus depletion. Sodium hypochlorite produced mainly superficial and root-level alterations with relative preservation of gross morphology, whereas sodium hydroxide caused minimal dimensional change and a calcium-rich adherent surface deposit. These findings show that household corrosives produce distinct, forensically recognizable dental alteration patterns within 48 h and support an integrated pattern-recognition approach in suspected chemical concealment scenarios.