Addition of L-dopa to HBSS in enhancing the maintenance of cell viability of Periodontal Ligament (PDL) cells: An In-Vitro Study.

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.