Comparative Evaluation of Maintenance of Periodontal Ligament Cell Viability of Energy Drink and Fruit Juice with Dextrose Normal Saline, ORS, and Hanks Balanced Salt Solution for Transportation of an Avulsed Tooth – An In vitro Study

Abstract Background and Objective: The viability of the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells on the root surface of the avulsed tooth determines the prognosis of the replanted tooth, which in turn is determined by a suitable transport medium in which the tooth was stored. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of energy drink and fruit juice as a storage medium for an avulsed tooth in maintaining the PDL cell viability with dextrose normal saline (DNS), oral rehydration salt (ORS), and hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS). Materials and Methods: A total of 62 freshly extracted human teeth were divided into five experimental groups and two control groups. The positive and negative controls corresponded to 0-min and 8-h dry time, respectively. The experimental teeth were stored dry for 30 min and then immersed in one of five experimental media (HBSS, ORS, DNS, ENERGY DRINK, and FRUIT JUICE) for 45 min. The teeth were then treated with collagenase type III and trypsin for 10 min. The number of viable PDL cells was counted with a hemocytometer and analyzed. Results: Statistical analysis showed that HBSS, ORS, and DNS had no statistically significant differences among them in maintaining the viability of the PDL cells but were significantly better than FRUIT JUICE. No statistically significant difference was found between ORS, DNS, and ENERGY DRINK in the number of viable PDL cells. Conclusion: HBSS, ORS, and DNS showed similar results within the parameters of the study, concluded that among the agents used ORS and DNS can be used as alternative storage media for avulsed teeth. FRUIT JUICE, ENERGY DRINK, and ORS could serve as short-term storage media if the other solutions are not readily available. Clinical Significance: The basic idea behind this study is to search for an appropriate storage medium with favorable pH and osmolarity and ease of availability.