The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cold preservation at 4oC and cryopreservation at -196oC on the viability of periodontal ligament cells in dog teeth using WST-1(4-[3-(4-iodophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]- 1,3-benzene disulfonate) assay. A total of 7 beagle dogs were used. Eight teeth of each group were divided into 7 experimental groups depending upon the preservation condition. The experimental groups were group 1 (immediate control), group 2-1 (cold preservation at 4oC for 3 days), group 2-2 (cold preservation at 4oC for 1 week), group 2-3 (cold preservation at 4oC for 2 week), group 3-1 (cryopreservation for 3 days), group 3-2 (cryopreservation for 1week), group 3-3 (cryopreservation for 2 weeks). F-medium and 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were used as preservation medium and cryoprotectant. For cryopreservation groups, thawing was performed in 37oC water bath, then WST-1 assay was processed. The values of optical density obtained by WST-1 were divided by the values of eosin staining for tissue volume standardization. In WST-1 assay, all cold preservation (4oC) groups (group 2, 3, 4) showed significantly higher viability of periodontal ligament cells than cryopreservation group (group 5, 6, 7) (p < 0.05), but showed lower viability than immediate control group (p < 0.05). In cold preservation (4oC) groups, group 2 showed significantly higher viability than group 3 and 4 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between all cryopreservation groups (-196oC). From the results of this study, cold preservation method suggests the better efficacy for short term preservation of the teeth than cryopreservation