This study quantified in vitro the root dentin moisture when 10% formalin (group A),
3% sodium azide (group B), and distilled water (group C) were used as teeth storage
media. The root dentin moisture of 66 extracted human mandibular single-rooted teeth
was measured at baseline (day 0) and at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days using a digital grain
moisture meter. The baseline dentin moisture value was used as covariate in the generalized
estimating equation (GEE) analysis. The mean dentin moisture values (%) +/- SD on
days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 were, respectively: 10.6 +/- 0.64, 14.3 +/- 0.71, 14.6 +/-
0.84, 14.4 +/- 0.64, and 14.7 +/- 0.75 in group A; 11.4 +/- 0.94, 14.6 +/- 0.95, 14.6
+/- 0.76, 14.6 +/- 0.93, and 14.8 +/- 0.81 in group B; and 10.2 +/- 0.95, 12.8 +/-
0.90, 13.3 +/- 0.95, 13.0 +/- 0.91, and 13.2 +/- 0.89 in group C. The dentin moisture
increased in all 3 groups; however, there was no overall significant difference in
moisture between the formalin and sodium azide groups.