Cut off values of laser fluorescence for different storage methods at different time intervals in comparison to frozen condition: A 1 year in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the following study is to evaluate the change in laser fluorescence (LF) values for extracted teeth stored in different solutions over 1 year period, to give cut-off values for different storage media at different time intervals to get them at par with the in vivo conditions and to see which medium gives best results with the least change in LF values and while enhancing the validity of DIAGNOdent in research.


METHODS
Ninety extracted teeth selected, from a pool of frozen teeth, were divided into nine groups of 10 each. Specimens in Groups 1-8 were stored in 1% chloramine, 10% formalin, 10% buffered formalin, 0.02% thymol, 0.12% chlorhexidine, 3% sodium hypochlorite, a commercially available saliva substitute-Wet Mouth (ICPA Pharmaceuticals) and normal saline respectively at 4°C. The last group was stored under frozen condition at -20°C without contact with any storage solution. DIAGNOdent was used to measure the change the LF values at day 30, 45, 60, 160 and 365.


METHODS
The mean change in LF values in different storage mediums at different time intervals were compared using two-way ANOVA.


RESULTS
At the end of 1 year, significant decrease in fluorescence (P < 0.05) was observed in Groups 1-8. Maximum drop in LF values occurred between day 1 and 30. Group 9 (frozen specimens) did not significantly change their fluorescence response.


CONCLUSIONS
An inevitable change in LF takes place due to various storage media commonly used in dental research at different time intervals. The values obtained from our study can remove the bias caused by the storage media and the values of LF thus obtained can hence be conveniently extrapolated to the in vivo condition.
Departments of Conservative & Endodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Rudra
R
Kaul
Departments of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Government Dental College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Vibhuti
V
Kaul
Departments of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Government Dental College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Riyaz
R
Farooq
Departments of Conservative & Endodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Nikhil Dev
ND
Wazir
Departments of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Government Dental College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Shafayat Ullah
SU
Khateeb
Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Government Dental College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Altaf H
AH
Malik
Departments of Conservative & Endodontics, Government Dental College, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Ajaz Amin
AA
Masoodi
DIAGNOdent; laser fluorescence; storage methods