RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Ham's F-10 in maintaining the viability and reproducibility of PDL cells on avulsed teeth. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty mature, healthy extracted premolars were used. The experimental media used were Ham's F-10, Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), skim milk, and tap water (n = 15 specimens each). Cell viability was tested after 1, 3, 6, and 24 h storage in medium. Cell reproducibility was assessed by methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) assay after1, 3, and 6 h storage in Ham's F-10, HBSS, and tap water. RESULTS: The viability of PDL cells stored in Ham's F-10 and HBSS was significantly greater than that of samples stored in milk and tap water at all-time points (P<0.001). A significant difference in cell viability between samples stored in Ham's F-10 and HBSS (favoring the former) was observed only at 6h (P=0.04). MTT assay results were significantly better for samples stored in Ham's F-10 and HBSS than for those stored in tap water (P<0.001), with a significant difference between Ham's F-10 and HBSS observed only at 3h (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ham's F-10 is capable of preserving PDL cells viable and reproducible better than milk and tap water and similar to HBSS.