Tooth Mobility among Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in the destruction of supporting tissue and bone leading to tooth mobility. Tooth mobility if untreated can lead to tooth loss. However, very few studies exist for its assessment. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of tooth mobility among patients visiting a tertiary care centre. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals visiting a tertiary care dental hospital from 1 April to 30 June 2022 after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2202202202). Individuals more than 13 years who gave consent and fulfilled the study criteria were enrolled. Tooth mobility was assessed using Lindhe and Nyman's classification. Proforma also included demographics, simplified oral hygiene index, gingival index, body mass index, and smoking status. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Among 163 patients, 65 (39.88%) patients (32.36-47.40, 95% Confidence Interval) had tooth mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of tooth mobility was higher than in studies done in similar settings.