An evaluation of the Periotest method as a tool for monitoring tooth mobility in dental traumatology.

BACKGROUND/AIM The Periotest method is a technique for the objective assessment of tooth mobility. The aims of this study were to determine normal Periotest values in the vertical and horizontal dimensions of periodontally healthy teeth in individuals aged 20-35 years and investigate the reliability of Periotest in terms of intra-series and inter-series reproducibility before and after applying a dental trauma splint in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Periotest values were measured in periodontally healthy dental students (n = 33; mean age 24.7 years) at reproducible measuring points in the vertical and horizontal dimensions, before and after splint insertion. Three readings were taken per series to observe the intra-series reproducibility; three series were measured to test inter-series reproducibility (Friedman-test; P <or= 0.001). Two different wire-composite splints, 0.45 mm Dentaflex and 0.8 x 1.8 Strengtheners, were inserted and the Periotest values were measured. RESULTS The median Periotest values before splinting were: canines -2.5, lateral incisors -0.9, and central incisors 0.0 for the vertical dimension, and canines 1.1, lateral incisors 3.2, and central incisors 3.6 for the horizontal dimension. The intra-series and inter-series Periotest values were highly reproducible. CONCLUSION The Periotest method provides highly reproducible results. Focused on dental trauma, the method can be applied diagnostically during the splint and follow-up period and for evaluating splint rigidity.