Key words:
Aloe vera - avulsion - periodontal ligament - pomegranate - propolis - storage media
- tooth
INTRODUCTION
Tooth avulsion is more common in young age group where root formation is incomplete.[1] The incidence of tooth avulsions ranges from 1% to 16% of traumatic injuries in
permanent dentition.[1]
[2]
[3]
[4] Tooth avulsion is defined as the complete displacement of the tooth from its alveolar
socket which causes damage to the periodontal ligament (PDL) structure, cementum,
and alveolar bone, gingival tissue, and dental pulp.[4] Immediate replantation is an appropriate treatment for avulsed tooth. After avulsion,
PDL tissues begin to dehydrate.[1]
[3] A vital periodontal membrane (PDL) is important for the successful healing of replanted
teeth.[1]
[5] During avulsion, complete separation of tooth from the socket results in tearing
of the PDL, leaving viable PDL cells on the root surface. A quarter of PDL cells comprise
PDL fibroblasts, which are responsible for the reattachment of the avulsed tooth after
its reimplantation into its socket.[6] However, immediate replantation cannot be possible always. In cases of delayed replantation
of avulsed tooth, it can be stored in appropriate storage media to avoid dehydration
and to preserve the tooth vitality. External root resorption and pulp necrosis can
result commonly as failure of replanted tooth.[1] The most critical factor in success of replanted avulsed teeth is extraoral dry
time and tooth storage media. Use of tooth storage media can prevent external root
resorption and retain viability of PDL cells.[1]
[6]
Ideal requirements of storage media should have low bacterial content, physiological
osmomolarity, neutral pH, and essential nutrients; should maintain viability of periodontal
fibers, no antigen‑antibody reaction, antimicrobial, sterile; and should be inexpensive.[1],[2],[6] Various storage media suggested are hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS), milk, soya
milk, honey milk, pomegranate juice (PJ), oral rehydration solution (ORS), normal
saline, propolis, viaspan, Gatorade, saliva of patient, coconut water, etc.[2],[4],[6]
[7]
[8]
[9] The HBSS is suggested as storage media by the International association of dental
traumatology.[1] HBSS has been found in many studies as best storage media, but it is expensive and
not easily available. There is not yet a single solution that fulfills all requirements
to be considered as the ideal medium for temporary storage of avulsed teeth. Hence,
there is search for accessible and economical storage media.[1] Aloe vera and PJ are easily available and economical and hence can be considered as tooth storage
media. Propolis is naturally occurring substance. Several studies have shown the efficacy
of A. vera and propolis in retaining cell viability.[10]
[11]
The present study was undertaken to comparatively evaluate efficacy of different storage
media (HBSS, propolis, A. vera, and pomegranate).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty orthodontically extracted premolar teeth with intact crown, closed apex, and
with healthy PDL were selected for the present study. The teeth were randomly divided
into six groups – test (10 samples in each group) and control (positive and negative
control with five samples in each) groups. Group‑1: positive control, collagenase
dispase Grade II, Group‑2: HBSS, Group‑3: porpolis, Group‑4: A. vera, Group‑5: pomegranate, and Group‑6: bench drying (negative control). Immediately
after the extraction, all the teeth were immersed in respective storage media for
the study purpose to maintain equal baseline standardity for viable cells. Teeth were
transferred to storage media by holding only crown portion with extraction forceps
and without disturbing the viable cells on root surface.
HBSS is commercially available. A. vera gel was obtained from fresh leaves. In fresh A. vera leaves (Barbadensis), lower one inch of the leaf base and sharp spines along leaf margins were removed
with bard parker blade no. 15 with same blade inner gelatinous part between the top
and bottom rind was removed and the inner gel was collected into test tube.[10]
Solid propolis was grounded into fine particles with help of mortar and pestle. Propolis
(50%) was prepared by adding 50 mg ground propolis/250 ml to 0.4% ethanol solution.
This solution was shaked for 15 min before transforming the study teeth.[2]
[11]
The grains of fresh fruits of pomegranate (Punica granatum) were separated carefully to extract the juice. PJ was prepared by squeezing the
grains and filtering the juice. Pure juice was placed in Rotary Flash evaporator until
the optimal concentration was obtained. It was then filtered using filter paper to
be suitable for passing through the 0.2 m filter. The prepared PJ was kept in dark
at +4°C until tested.
The grains of fresh fruits of pomegranate (Punica granatum) were separated carefully to extract the juice. PJ was prepared by squeezing the
grains and filtering the juice. Pure juice was placed in Rotary Flash evaporator until
the optimal concentration was obtained. It was then filtered using filter paper to
be suitable for passing through the 0.2 m filter. The prepared PJ was kept in dark
at +4°C until tested.
All tubes were subjected to centrifugation at 1000 rpm for 5 min and supernatant was
removed with sterile micropipettes. 0.4% trypan blue was used to label to determine
viability of these PDL cells at 40X magnification under light microscope with hemocytometer.[2]
Data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS software for Windows, Version 19.0.,
IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA. Analysis of variance and multiple range were done using
Tukey’s honestly significant difference with level of significance at 5% (P > 0.05).
RESULTS
Positive control media, collagenase dispase Type‑II showed 360,000 viable PDL cells
whereas negative control with bench drying showed only 2000 viable cells. Results
indicated that propolis (285,000 viable cells with standard deviation (SD) 4.11028
and standard error (SE) of 1.38097) showed more viable PDL cells followed by HBSS,
A. vera, and pomegranate [Table 1]. Viability of cells in decreasing order is positive control > propolis > HBSS >
A. vera > PJ > negative control. Least was seen in negative control. [Table 2] shows pH and osmolality of various storage media.
DISCUSSION
The prognosis of replanted tooth depends on minimal damage to PDL cells since it helps
in regeneration, attachment, and to prevent resorption. Several studies have shown
that an avulsed tooth can be replanted after 1–3 h without complications if stored
in suitable storage media.[2] Blomlöf et al. suggested ideal requirement for storage media as 290–330 OS and 6.6–7.8 pH.[12] We tested storage media such as A. vera and PJ since they are easily available and less expensive. A. vera is widely cultivated thorough out the world. Propolis showed more viable PDL cells
followed by HBSS, A. vera, and pomegranate [Table 1] [Table 2] shows osmolality and pH of various storage media. All the tested media had pH and
osmolality in expectable range suggested by Blomlöf. Here, propolis
had suitable pH (7.4) and osmolality (350 osml/L) and hence can maintain more viable
cells compared to other test groups.
HBSS is considered as gold slandered as storage media. It has balanced pH (7.2) and
contains essential metabolites necessary for PDL cells viability.[6]
[10] It has been found that it can maintain viability of PDL cells up to 48 h.[13] However, storage of avulsed tooth maximum for 30 min in HBSS has been recommended.
It is nontoxic and commercially available as Save‑A‑Tooth, PA, USA. It is expensive
and not easily available.[6] Nozari et al. observed HBSS was better than honey milk and milk to maintain PDL cell viability.[4] Gopikrishna et al. found coconut as superior to HBSS, propolis, and milk.[11] Sunil et al. and Thomas et al. found coconut water as better storage media than HBSS and milk.[14]
[15]
Propolis is a natural wax‑like substance used by bees in construction of their hives.
It is composed of 50% resin and vegetable balsam, 30% wax, 10% essential and aromatic
oils, 5% pollen, and 5% various other organic substances. It has antibacterial, antifungal,
anti‑inflammatory, immune‑modulatory, anti‑ulcer, and antitumor properties.[1]
[2]
[6]
[7]
[11] It is nontoxic and inhibits osteoclastic resorption of teeth.[1] It is not easily available. Ozan et al. from their study found that propolis was superior to HBSS or milk in maintaining
PDL cell viability after storage of avulsed tooth.[16] Similarly, efficacy of propolis in maintaining PDL cell was observed in many studies.[17]
[18] We found propolis (28,5000 viable cells with SD 4.11028 and SE of 1.38097) as superior
to HBSS, A. vera, and PJ in maintaining cell viability [Table 1]. It has been found that 10% propolis can be used to store avulsed tooth for as long
as 24 h.[1] Sanghavi et al. found viable PDL cells with coconut, 50% propolis and ORS solution.[2]
A. vera (Barbadensis) gel contains more than 75 ingredients. It is commonly available plant. This gel
is made up of water (98%), active compounds such as amino acids, vitamins, aloin,
aloesin, aloe emodin, aloemannan, aloeride, naphthoquinones, methylchromones, flavonoids,
saponin, and sterols. It has antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, immune
boosting, and hypoglycemic properties.[1]
[10] Badakhsh et al. found that A. vera at concentration of 10%, 30%, 50% maintained cell viability and recommended it as
suitable storage media for avulsed tooth.[19] Fulzele et al. from their study concluded that highest viable cells found in HBSS followed by A. vera over a period of 120 min.[10] Similar results were found in our study relevant to A. vera gel as storage media. Sharma et al. found highest viable cells with A. vera when compared to egg white and milk.[20]
Table 1:
Mean and standard deviation of groups
|
Groups
|
Number of samples
|
Mean number of viable cells
|
SD
|
SE
|
|
Analysis of variance by Tukey test (P<0.05). Viability of cells in decreasing order
is ‑ positive control > propolis > HBSS > A. vera > pomegranate juice > negative control.
Least was seen in negative control. HBSS: Hank’s balanced salt solution, SD: Standard
deviation, SE: Standard error, A. vera: Aloe vera
|
|
Positive control - collagenase dispase
|
5
|
360,000
|
6.45726
|
1.76899
|
|
HBSS
|
10
|
262,000
|
3.12743
|
1.28678
|
|
Propolis
|
10
|
285,000
|
4.11028
|
1.38097
|
|
A. vera
|
10
|
226,000
|
3.42785
|
0.98565
|
|
Pomegranate juice
|
10
|
214,000
|
3.41709
|
1.08654
|
|
Negative control - bench drying
|
5
|
2000
|
0.35578
|
0.01568
|
Table 2:
Osmolality and pH of transporting media
|
Medium
|
Osmolality (mosm/L)
|
pH
|
|
HBSS: Hank’s balanced salt solution, A. vera: Aloe vera
|
|
HBSS
|
320
|
7.2
|
|
Propolis
|
350
|
7.4
|
|
A. vera
|
280-300
|
6.8
|
|
Pomegranate juice
|
280
|
6.7
|
|
Ideal
|
230-400
|
6.6-7.8
|
Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) juice is considered in ayurvedic medicine as “pharmacy unto itself” since it has
complete medicinal power in its seeds and juice. It has antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory,
anti‑carcinogenic properties, and helps in fibroblast cell proliferation and cell
attachment.[1] We found viable PDL cells in PJ. It can be used as a storage media for avulsed tooth
because of its physical properties and maintains cell viability. Tavassoli‑Hojjati
et al. from their study found that PJ is equally effective as HBSS. They further suggested
that 7.5% concentration of PJ is more effective and cell viability increases with
increased concentration.[21]
We used trypan blue staining technique since it is easy and quick to perform and differentiates
viable cells from nonviable one. We checked whether cells take up stains or not. Viable
cells will have a clear cytoplasm but a nonviable cell will have a blue cytoplasm.
In our study, PDL cells were treated with collagenase and dispase Grade II to preserve
maximum viability and to minimize exposure of cells to active trypan. It has been
observed that collagenase and dispase help in maintaining maximum cellular integrity.[2] Aydin et al. form their study concluded that 12 months storage of the avulsed teeth resulted
in a statistically significant decrease in microhardness when compared to microhardness
of teeth stored
CONCLUSION
A. vera gel and PJ are easily available and less expensive. Propolis, A vera, and PJ can be used as an alternative tooth storage media since we observed viable
PDL cells in theses storage media.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
