Objective Assessment of Tooth Mobility Using the Osstell Device: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Dental Diagnostics

Background:

• Objective assessment of natural tooth mobility is clinically challenging.
• Existing methods like the Miller Mobility Index and Periotest M have limitations.
• Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) is established for implant stability but not widely adapted for natural teeth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility, repeatability, and agreement of a modified implant stability measurement system for natural teeth.
• To adapt a resonance frequency analysis (RFA) device (Osstell Beacon) using a custom titanium bracket and modified SmartPeg.
• To compare RFA measurements with conventional tooth mobility assessments (Miller Index, Periotest M).

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 16 patients and 94 single-rooted teeth with varying mobility.
• Measurements using Miller Mobility Index, Periotest M, and RFA (Osstell Beacon) with a custom bracket.
• Statistical analysis included correlation, Cohen's kappa, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

Main Results:

• RFA demonstrated excellent intra-examiner repeatability (ICC > 0.95).
• Periotest M showed substantial agreement with Miller mobility grades (κ = 0.763).
• RFA (Osstell) showed weak agreement with Miller grades (κ = 0.094) but strong negative correlation with Periotest M (r = -0.865).

Conclusions:

• RFA is reproducible for natural teeth under controlled conditions and correlates with conventional methods.
• The adapted RFA method for natural tooth mobility is currently investigational.
• Clinical validity for routine use is not established; larger studies are required.