Comparison of the effect of various storage media on the fracture resistance of the reattached incisor tooth fragments: An in vitro study

Background: Fragment reattachment is a conservative and a valid alternative compared to direct composite. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess and compare effect of storage medium on the fracture resistance of the reattached tooth fragments stored in dry conditions for 1, 6, and 24 h, in milk for 1, 6, and 24 h, and in saline for 1, 6, and 24 h. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 freshly extracted human permanent maxillary central incisors were fractured intentionally using a low-speed diamond disk along, and saline was used as a coolant. The fractured fragments were stored in dry conditions, milk, and saline. The fragments were then reattached to respective apical parts and subjected to thermocycling, followed by fracture resistance test using universal testing machine at the speed of 1 mm/min and were recorded in newtons (N). Results: It was observed that fracture resistance of 43.846 ± 11.363 N was required for fragment stored in dry storage media at 24 h, for milk, fracture resistance of 97.363 ± 47.739 N was observed at 24 h, and for fragments stored in normal saline, it was 162.856 ± 93.932 N at 24 h. Conclusion: In the present study, the highest fracture resistance was observed for fragments stored in saline for 24 h, followed by milk for 24 h and then dry storage. The fragments stored in milk exhibited higher fracture resistance than the fragments stored in a dry environment. Therefore, milk can be considered as an interim storage media as it maintains hydration of fragment