As most avulsed teeth are not replanted at the site of
the injury and few patients can receive treatment within
15 minutes, a suitable storage medium to maintain the
health of the periodontal ligament cells is critical. In
studying periodontal ligament healing associated with
replanted teeth in monkeys,
Andreasen varied the extra-alveolar time periods and the storage media. He
established that if the teeth cannot be replanted
immediately, then storage in saliva or saline solutions
significantly reduced the amount of root resorption.
Storage in tap water should be avoided as this causes
the cells to swell and become necrotic. Acceptable
solutions appear to be milk, contact lens solution,
Hanks Balanced Salt Solution and saliva.
Wrapping the tooth in polyethylene film (e.g., Glad Wrap) has
been suggested where teeth cannot be replaced
immediately and if storage solutions are unavailable.