Effects of storage of jaws in saline and of velocity of loading on the force required to extract the rat mandibular first molar.

Storage of jaws in cold saline for up to 32 h did not cause significant changes in the ultimate loads required to extract the rat mandibular first molar. The mean ultimate loads were 33.05, 34.91 and 36.38 newtons at the extension rates 1, 5 and 25 mm/min respectively, though the differences were not significant between groups. The force required to extract the tooth would be fairly constant even after the storage of the dissected jaws in cold saline for longer periods of time. Changes in the force required were not detectable within the range of the velocities of loading employed.