In vitro evaluation of plants as storage media for avulsed teeth: A systematic review

Dental avulsion is defined as the complete displacement of a tooth from its socket owing to trauma. The treatment outcome depends on storage of the avulsed teeth in media capable of maintaining the viability of periodontal ligament cells, when immediate replantation is not possible. To maintain the viability of periodontal ligament cells, plants can be used as a storage medium because of their pharmacological and phytotherapic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of plants on the tissue repair following tooth replantation.

This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and included articles collected in the Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science databases, plus articles found in the grey literature. The articles were screened for partial reading using the Endnote and Rayyan platform. The methodology of studies was evaluated by using the OHAT and GRADE.

In the initial search, 2361 articles were obtained, only 51 articles were submitted to complete reading, and 35 articles were selected for the qualitative analysis. The evaluated plants had a potential effect on cell viability and proliferation. The articles evaluated mainly the action of plants on cells of the periodontal ligament. Propolis, coconut water and Aloe vera were the most common storage medium.

The methodological limitations persist, and the evaluation of the pharmacological potential of plants on dental tissues still requires more research.