Riyam Haleem (1), Noor Musa (2), Hind Hadi (3)
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that leads to the destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth. Two of its key clinical features are bleeding on probing (BOP) and tooth mobility, often reflective of underlying tissue breakdown. The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between bleeding on probing and pathological tooth movement in patients with varying stages of periodontal disease, and to assess their diagnostic and prognostic significance. This cross-sectional study included 120 adult patients who underwent comprehensive periodontal examination. Parameters assessed included BOP, and tooth mobility. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between BOP and pathological tooth movement. BOP was detected in 78.5% of patients, with a higher prevalence in the posterior sextants. Tooth mobility (Grade 2 or higher) was observed in 31.6% of the sample, predominantly in the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth. A statistically significant correlation was found between BOP and pathological tooth movement (p < 0.01), with generalized BOP increasing the likelihood of tooth mobility by nearly fourfold (OR = 3.8). The presence of BOP is significantly associated with pathological tooth mobility, underlining its importance as a predictive marker in periodontal assessment. Early identification and intervention at sites with BOP may help prevent progressive tooth loss.
Highlights:
[1] L. A. Shahoumi, M. H. A. Saleh, and M. M. Meghil, “Virulence factors of the periodontal pathogens: tools to evade the host immune response and promote carcinogenesis,” Microorganisms, vol. 11, no. 1, p. 115, 2023.
[2] P. H. Dave, J. Mahendra, M. Bedi, and A. Namasivayam, “Alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis–an overview,” Int. J. Drug Res. Dent. Sci., vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 21–28, 2023.
[3] G. E. Salvi, A. Roccuzzo, J. Imber, A. Stähli, B. Klinge, and N. P. Lang, “Clinical periodontal diagnosis,” Periodontol. 2000, 2023.
[4] S. Sahinkaya et al., “Behçet’s disease modifies the gingival inflammatory response,” J. Periodontol., vol. 96, no. 4, pp. 321–329, 2025.
[5] J. P. Fiorellini, P. G. Stathopoulou, D. G. Naik, and A. Uppoor, “Tooth Supporting Structures,” Newman Carranza’s Clin. Periodontol. 4th South Asia Ed., p. 19, 2024.
[6] M. Schimmel and S. Abou-Ayash, “The Ageing Mouth,” Gerodontology essentials Heal. care Prof., pp. 17–48, New Delhi, India, 2020.
[7] M. Peditto et al., “Influence of mobility on the long‐term risk of tooth extraction/loss in periodontitis patients. A systematic review and meta‐analysis,” J. Periodontal Res., vol. 59, no. 6, pp. 1047–1061, 2024.
[8] F. Schwendicke and J. Krois, “Precision dentistry—what it is, where it fails (yet), and how to get there,” Clin. Oral Investig., vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 3395–3403, 2022.
[9] H. I. Fageeh et al., “Assessing the reliability of Miller’s classification and Cairo’s classification in classifying gingival recession defects: a comparison study,” Medicina (B. Aires)., vol. 60, no. 2, p. 205, 2024.
[10] P. C. John, “A Comparative Evaluation of the Periodontal Parameters in Various Dentofacial Growth Patterns.” Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (India), 2016.
[11] J. S. Patel, D. Shin, L. Willis, A. Zai, K. Kumar, and T. P. Thyvalikakath, “Comparing gingivitis diagnoses by bleeding on probing (BOP) exclusively versus BOP combined with visual signs using large electronic dental records,” Sci. Rep., vol. 13, no. 1, p. 17065, 2023.
[12] A. Monje, D. French, J. Nart, and M. Rakic, “Insights into the Clinical Diagnosis of Peri-implantitis: to Probe or Not to Probe,” Curr. Oral Heal. Reports, vol. 7, pp. 304–312, 2020.
[13] A. O. Oliver, “Clinical outcomes of postgraduate periodontal students’ patients: A retrospective study.” University of Otago, 2023.
[14] J. C. Türp, H. Lothaller, and A. Scioscia, “Maximum mandibular mobility in patients with temporomandibular disorders,” SWISS Dent. J. SSO–Science Clin. Top., vol. 130, no. 9, pp. 668–675, 2020.
[15] P. M. Preshaw, “Detection and diagnosis of periodontal conditions amenable to prevention,” BMC Oral Health, vol. 15, no. Suppl 1, p. S5, 2015.
[16] J. Zou, M. Meng, C. S. Law, Y. Rao, and X. Zhou, “Common dental diseases in children and malocclusion,” Int. J. Oral Sci., vol. 10, no. 1, p. 7, 2018.
[17] G. Dahlen, O. Fejerskov, and F. Manji, “Current concepts and an alternative perspective on periodontal disease,” BMC Oral Health, vol. 20, pp. 1–9, 2020.
[18] M. P. Reiman et al., “Consensus recommendations on the classification, definition and diagnostic criteria of hip-related pain in young and middle-aged active adults from the International Hip-related Pain Research Network, Zurich 2018,” Br. J. Sports Med., vol. 54, no. 11, pp. 631–641, 2020.