Periotest values: Its reproducibility, accuracy, and variability with hormonal influence

Area of Science:

• Dental diagnostics
• Periodontology

Background:

• Subjective tooth mobility assessments can be biased.
• Objective measures are crucial for accurate tooth mobility evaluation.
• Hormonal fluctuations may influence tooth mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the reproducibility of the Periotest device for measuring tooth mobility.
• To investigate the relationship between hormonal changes and tooth mobility.

Main Methods:

• 100 subjects were divided into two age groups: Group I (11-14 years) and Group II (16-22 years).
• Periotest values (PTV) were recorded at two time points with a 20-minute interval.

Main Results:

• Periotest measurements demonstrated high reproducibility, with no significant difference between readings taken 20 minutes apart.
• Group I (pubertal subjects) exhibited significantly higher PTV than Group II (adolescent subjects).

Conclusions:

• The Periotest is a reliable tool for objectively assessing tooth mobility.
• Tooth mobility is elevated during puberty and adolescence, with a slight increase noted in adolescent males.