Effect of periodontal treatment on tooth mobility

The purpose of this study was to compare tooth mobility at different time periods during periodontal treatment and to relate changes in mobility to each method of treatment. Ninety-three patients (2421 teeth) with moderate to severe periodontitis were scored: (1) at initial examination, (2) 1 month following scaling, root planing, instruction in oral hygiene and preliminary occlusal adjustment, (3) 1 month after treatment with pocket elimination or reduction, curettage, modified Widman flap or scaling and root planing by the periodontist, and (4) 1 and 2 years following completed periodontal treatment. After initial nonsurgical treatment there was a significant decrease in tooth mobility. Tooth mobility increased temporarily after pocket reduction surgery but was not altered following curettage, modified Widman flap or scaling and root planing. Two years post-treatment there was a trend toward further decrease in tooth mobility with professional tooth cleaning every 3 months.