ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of Periotest for detecting the changes occured in periodontal areas during treatment of anterior cross-bite teeth. Eight patients with unilaterally cross-bite of upper central incisor were treated by using appliance with bite plate and vestibulolingual spring. The experimental group was composed of central incisors in cross,bite and the others were used as control. Probing pocket depth, Gingival index, Plaque index and Periotest values were recorded for all teeth along the treatment. Following activation of the springs, the mobility of the teeth in study group increased and there was a tendency to decrease 3 weeks after. Teeth in control group were also affected, but Periotest values were lower than experimental group. For other parameters, differences between two groups were not statistically singificant. Data obtained from this stduy indicated that Periotest may be used to evaluate the periodontal status of teeth during orthodontic tooth movement.