A study on tooth mobility following periodontal surgery

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative changes in tooth mobility before and after periodontal surgery using a tooth mobility tester. The tester was so designed as to be able to measure the cycle of sympathetic vibrations produced when a tooth was tapped with a impact hammer. Initially the degrees of tooth mobility, which were clinically classified from 0 to 3, were observed and the mode of mobility was assessed by the tester. Then, we examined the changes of tooth mobility after flap surgery. The following is a summary of findings.

1)	The coefficient of change in measurements had a tendency to decrease at the buccal site and the cervical site.
2)	At 1 week after flap surgery, the degree of tooth mobility was increased significantly.
3)	At the 6th week after surgery, tooth mobility had returned to the preoperative level.
4)	At 6 months after surgery, the mobility was decreased significantly compared to immediatery after surgery.
5)	The extent of bone absorption, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level did not influence the postoperative changes of tooth mobility.