The effect of temperature of various storage media and at varying storage periods upon periodontal ligament (PDL) and pulpal healing after tooth replantation was examined in green vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). Mandibular lateral incisors with mature root formation were extracted and kept in dry storage at 22, 4 and -18 degrees C; in saline at 37, 22, 4 and -18 degrees C; or in saliva (i.e. in the buccal vestibule) at 37 degrees C for either 60 or 120 min prior to replantation. The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after replantation and the replanted teeth examined histometrically. The following histological parameters were registered for each tooth: normal PDL, surface resorption, inflammatory resorption, replacement resorption (ankylosis), downgrowth of pocket epithelium, periapical inflammatory changes, and the extent of vital pulp. A total of 125 replanted teeth were examined. Storage in saliva at 37 degrees C showed a similar amount of normal PDL compared to saline storage for both 60 and 120 min. Saline storage for 60 or 120 min showed no difference in the extent of normal PDL when storage was compared at 37, 22 and 4 degrees C. However, storage at -18 degrees C resulted in significantly less normal PDL than storage at other temperatures. Dry storage for 60 min showed significantly less root resorption at 4 degrees C compared to 22 degrees C. Furthermore, dry storage at -18 degrees C showed significantly less normal PDL than storage at 4 degrees C. When the dry storage period was extended to 120 min, no difference was found between 22, 4 and -18 degrees C. It is concluded that the temperature (above 0 degrees C) of the storage medium is of importance only for dry storage and in such a situation only for shorter extra-alveolar periods, i.e. for 60-min storage and not for 120 min, where extensive destruction of the PDL always takes place. It is suggested that the temperature effect of 4 degrees C could be related to less evaporation from the PDL and thereby less damage to the PDL cells or a strict temperature effect upon cell metabolism. Pulp healing in all the cases was limited to the entrance of the pulp canal, and no significant pattern was found between storage media, time and temperature.