Transport and storage of human teeth in vitro for autotransplantation and replantation.

A method has been devised for transporting and storing human teeth in vitro for autotransplantation and replantation. In the transplantation and replantation of accidentally lost teeth, the viability of the cells covering the root is of vital importance. Injury of the jaw and contamination of the tooth often prevent immediate replantation. To enable transportation and storage of teeth while maintaining viability of the periodontal ligament during the healing period after trauma, the following technique was worked out. With use of a transport medium and a tissue-culture technique, 35 human teeth were transported long distances (20 hours) to a tissue-culture laboratory and preserved for different periods of time. Three teeth were lost because of contamination. Twenty-one of the teeth were cultivated in tissue-culture medium at 37 C for four weeks; 11 of the teeth were stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 C for 27 weeks. After transportation and storage, it was possible to maintain the viability of the cells of the periodontal membrane of the teeth. Two cases are described wherein immediate transplantation and replantation were impossible. After transport to the laboratory, the teeth were stored for five weeks in one case and for three months in another case before replantation.