Cling film as storage medium for avulsed teeth. An in vitro pilot study

The long-term prognosis of avulsed teeth primarily depends on the behavior at the scene of the accident. Lay people are not able to perform an immediate replantation. Therefore, particular significance belongs to the cell-physiologic storage of avulsed teeth. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether cling film facilitates the survival of periodontal ligament cells in vitro. For this purpose, healthy human third molars were used. They were cut into root slices, which were stored in one of five test media: SOS Zahnbox®, UHT milk (4 °C), sterile isotonic saline solution, tap water, and cling film. Following storage periods of 2 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours in the respective medium, slices were cultivated at 37 °C and 5% CO 2. After 2 days, 7 days, and 14 days in culture, surviving periodontal ligament cells of each slice were assessed quantitatively. Apart from tap water, all investigated media promoted cell survival. At the time of 2 hours, storage in cling film facilitated the highest cell growth compared to all other media. At the time of 6 hours, teeth stored in cling film showed cell growth comparable to that observed in the SOS Zahnbox®. The results of this pilot study indicate that cling film possibly could be used as an alternative transport medium for a storage period of up to 6 hours.