One of the key factors for obtaining a favourable long-term prognosis in avulsed teeth is maintenance of the vitality of the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Most studies which have examined PDL cell vitality have used neutral red or trypan blue as stains. However, these stains have certain inherent disadvantages. The purpose of this paper was to (i) evaluate the use of saline and milk as storage media for PDL cells and (ii) determine the value of using fluorescein diacetate (FDA) as a staining medium for vital PDL cells on the root surface of avulsed teeth. Thirty-two single-rooted premolars were utilized from patients aged 13 to 28 years. Following atraumatic extraction, the teeth in the experimental groups were air dried for 10 min and then placed in either milk or saline for 120 min. Both control and experimental teeth were subjected to trypsinization procedures, staining with FDA, and haemocytometer readings to determine the number of vital cells. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of viable cells on the root surfaces of teeth after 2 h of storage in either milk or in saline. Furthermore, staining with FDA provided an excellent method by which to determine PDL cell vitality.

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