Related articles: Tooth mobility
Definition
Usually, moving teeth indicate periodontal disease.
In physiological conditions, the teeth have a certain degree of mobility in the respective alveolus, thanks to the presence of the periodontium. The periodontium is the set of supporting tissues of our teeth; it is formed by the gums, the radicular cement, the alveolar bone and a series of ligaments - called periodontal ligaments - that cushion the blows and bind the dental roots to the surrounding bone. Gums are very important to protect the underlying part of the periodontium.
Inflammation of periodontal tissues (periodontitis) is the main pathological cause of moving teeth. In periodontitis, in particular, the gums lose their attachment to the teeth (they detach and regress due to chronic gingivitis) with the formation of periodontal pockets. With the progressive loss of gingival tissue, the inflammation extends to the adjacent support apparatus, with destruction of the periodontal ligament and adjacent supporting bone. As a result, the teeth, in addition to appearing longer, can become mobile. In the following stages it is possible that the teeth may migrate or even fall.
Even a trauma can cause the loss of periodontal support, so the teeth become mobile. Teeth mobility can also increase due to hormonal causes, for example during pregnancy or oral contraceptives.
Detail of an unstable tooth, therefore easily removable movable - Taken from: pocketdentistry.com/
Possible Causes * of tooth mobility
- Gingival abscess
- Bruxism
- Epulis
- Menopause
- Periodontitis
