Assessing the mobility of a tooth is a crucial aspect of dental diagnosis, as it can indicate the presence of periodontal disease, tooth trauma, or other underlying conditions.(how to check mobility of tooth )
To check the mobility of a tooth, a dentist or Dental hygienist will typically perform a gentle manipulation of the tooth, using a combination of-
- Visual examination.
- Tactile sensation.
- Radiograph.
Visual inspection/ Examination (how to check mobility of tooth) –
The process of checking mobility of tooth begins by visually inspecting the tooth for any signs of movement or looseness.
Sign of looseness includes –
• Dentist will notice teeth are shifting or moving slightly when you bite or chew, or if you feel a slight wobble when you touch your teeth with your tongue, it’s time to take action.
• Other signs of looseness of teeth include sensitivity to hot and cold foods, pain or discomfort when biting or chewing, and visible gaps between teeth.
• When teeth are becoming longer due to gum recession, or if you’re experiencing bleeding or swelling in your gums.
Tactile examination ( How ) to check Mobility of tooth –
• The dentist will use the handles of their mirror & probe/ other Dental instruments. ( Basically blunt end of Dental instrument ) to press gently on the tooth, applying a gentle rocking motion to assess its mobility.(how to check mobility of tooth).
The movement is typically categorized into three grades:
Grade I Tooth mobility –
• where the tooth rocking motion is less than 1 millimeter.
• Movement in only Horizontal (labio- lingual / between tounge & lips ) direction.
read in detail about Grade 1 tooth mobility–
Grade II Tooth Mobility –
• Where the motion is more than 1mm in Horizontal direction.
Grade III Tooth Mobility–
• where the motion is greater than 1 millimeters in Horizontal & vertical (towards tooth root / Apex / up-down / Dipping motion ) Direction.
• During the examination, the dentist will also pay attention to any unusual sounds or sensations, such as clicking or crunching, which can indicate the presence of a crack or fracture in the tooth.
• they may also use a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pocket between the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue, which can provide further insight into the extent of any periodontal disease.
Radiograph (how) to check mobility of tooth –
In some cases, the dentist may also use radiographs (x-rays) to visualize the tooth and surrounding bone structure, which can help identify any underlying bone loss or other pathologies that may be contributing to the tooth’s mobility.
By carefully assessing the mobility of a tooth, dental professionals can develop an effective treatment plan to address any underlying issues and prevent further damage or tooth loss.i hope you got How to check mobility of tooth .?
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