Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate daily variation of horizontal (labio-lingual) tooth mobility by measuring viscoelastic properties of periodontium. Horizontal tooth mobility of maxillary central incisors was measured by an automatic diagnostic system for tooth mobility.
Three males and five females participated in this study. Their periodontal conditions were clinically normal. Horizontal tooth mobility was measured once a day between 11: 30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. before lunch. Basal body temperature was also recorded for the females. Measurements were repeated daily except for holidays, for about 30 days in the males and about 50 days in the females. Horizontal tooth mobility was determined for three viscoelastic parameters (C1, C2, and k).
Daily variations were in each of the parameters in the males and females. Two parameters (C1, C2) were smaller during the high temperature period of the menstrual cycle (luteum phase) than during the low period (follicular phase). It was concluded that daily variations exist in horizontal tooth mobility in both sexes, and horizontal tooth mobility is greater during the luteum phase than during the follicular phase.
