Tooth Mobility
The measurable degree to which a tooth can be displaced from its normal position in the socket when force is applied, used as a clinical indicator of periodontal support.
Full Definition
Tooth mobility is assessed by applying pressure between two metal instruments placed on opposing sides of the tooth and graded using the Miller classification: Grade I (detectable movement up to 1 mm in any direction), Grade II (movement exceeding 1 mm in any horizontal direction), and Grade III (movement in both horizontal and vertical/axial directions). It reflects the integrity of the periodontal ligament and supporting bone, and may be physiological (normal) or pathological (due to bone loss, occlusal trauma, or inflammatory disease). Increased mobility does not always correlate with active disease; some teeth with severe bone loss may have low mobility due to ankylosing changes. Editors should note that 'mobility' is a noun and 'mobile' the preferred adjective — 'moveable tooth' is generally not used in clinical periodontal writing.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the grading scale used (e.g., Miller, Nyman and Lindhe) when editing research papers, as different classification systems exist. 'Mobile tooth' and 'tooth mobility' should not be used interchangeably as noun and adjective forms within the same sentence.
In Context
- "Grade II tooth mobility was recorded for the maxillary central incisors at the periodontal re-evaluation appointment." — Periodontal charting record
- "The authors note that tooth mobility alone is an insufficient basis for extraction without considering bone support and prognosis." — Treatment planning review