ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the viability of PDL cells in an avulsed tooth using a storage medium with and without L-dopa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty freshly extracted non-impacted human teeth with closed apices and no caries beyond the CEJ were obtained for this study. The teeth were then randomly divided into 1 of the 4 experimental storage solution groups, namely group 1: deionized water; group 2: deionized water with L-dopa (1µg/µl); group 3: HBSS; and group 4: HBSS with L-dopa (1µg/µl). After storing the teeth in different test solutions for 45 minutes collagenase assay was performed and the number of viable PDL cells were counted under a light microscope using a hemocytometer at 20X magnification. RESULTS: The mean number of viable PDL cells was highest in group 4, followed by group 3 and group 2. Group 1 shows the least number of viable PDL cells. CONCLUSION: The synergistic effect of L-dopa and HBSS paves way for its usage as an effective storage medium for an avulsed tooth.
