Which of the following should NOT be done to an avulsed tooth?

Correct answer: D. Wash it with chlorhexidine

• A. A brief rinse with saline to remove gross debris is appropriate. Never scrub the root.
• B. Milk is an excellent transport medium — its osmolality and pH preserve ligament cell viability. Hank's balanced salt solution is better still.
• C. The tooth must be handled by the crown only. Touching the root damages the ligament cells directly.
• D. Correct — this is the thing to avoid. Chlorhexidine is cytotoxic to the periodontal ligament cells whose survival determines whether the tooth reattaches. Antiseptics have no place on the root surface.

Note: Replanting the tooth into the socket at the scene is the best outcome of all. Extra-oral dry time beyond 60 minutes makes ligament survival very unlikely.