Cracks in dentin and enamel after cryopreservation.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate if cryopreservation of teeth for long-term storage leads to cracks in enamel and dentin.


METHODS
Three teeth, which were extracted for orthodontic reasons, were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (temperature -196°C) and thawed according to standard protocols after 4 months. Micro computed tomography using synchrotron radiation was performed to detect cracks in the tooth hard tissues.


RESULTS
Cracks were found in the enamel of all teeth, which are associated with forceps application during extraction. Cracks with a width larger than 0.8 μm were not identified in dentin and cementum.


CONCLUSIONS
Although cryopreservation of teeth according to the standard protocol does not generate cracks more than 0.8 μm wide, the use of forceps can result in prominent cracks.
School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Surgery, Oral Radiology and Oral Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Sebastian.kuehl@unibas.ch
Sebastian
S
Kühl
Hans
H
Deyhle
Melanie
M
Zimmerli
Giulio
G
Spagnoli
Felix
F
Beckmann
Bert
B
Müller
Andreas
A
Filippi
D015925:Cryopreservation; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography