Tooth Mobility
The degree of horizontal or vertical displacement of a tooth in its socket when a standardised force is applied, used as a clinical measure of periodontal or periapical support loss.
Full Definition
Tooth mobility is assessed clinically by applying force to a tooth using two blunt instruments or finger pressure and observing displacement, typically graded on the Miller Mobility Index (0–3) or the Periotest device. Grade 0 indicates physiological mobility; Grade I is slight (up to 1 mm horizontal); Grade II is moderate (1–2 mm horizontal); Grade III is severe (>2 mm or vertical movement). In dental research manuscripts, tooth mobility is an important secondary or tertiary outcome measure in periodontal treatment trials and implant studies, where abnormal mobility of an implant crown may indicate failed osseointegration rather than periodontal disease. Editors should confirm which grading scale is used, as multiple versions exist, and that implant mobility is not described using periodontal mobility grades without adaptation.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the grading scale used (e.g., Miller Grade 0–3). 'Fremitus' denotes tooth movement under occlusal load specifically and should not be used interchangeably with general tooth mobility.
In Context
- "Tooth mobility was recorded using the Miller Index at all assessment points and treated as a secondary outcome." — Periodontal surgical trial results section
- "An implant presenting with any detectable mobility is considered to have failed; conventional tooth mobility grading does not apply." — Methods clarification in an implant study protocol