Background/purpose: We assessed the mobility of single-root teeth by using Miller's mobility index (MMI) and to analyze the validity of MMI for the diagnosis of periodontitis.
Materials and methods: A total of 30 patients were included and the Spearman correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between MMI, clinical attachment level (CAL), and probing depth (PD). The validity of MMI for the diagnosis of the severity of periodontitis was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under curve (AUC) value, positive predictive value (PPV).
Results: Strong correlations were observed between MMI and CAL (r = 0.92) and between MMI and PD (r = 0.76). When the CAL = 3-4 mm and CAL ≥5 mm groups were pooled together, the AUC value was 0.81. The AUC was 0.86 for diagnosis with MMI in the CAL ≥5 mm group. A PPV of 100% was achieved for all grades when MMI >1. When the teeth with PD ≥ 5 to <7 mm and PD ≥ 7 mm groups were pooled together, the AUC value for MMI was 0.80. The PPV was 98.8%, 99%, and 100% for MMI Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3, respectively. When PD ≥ 7 mm was defined as severe periodontitis, the AUC value for MMI was 0.72.
Conclusion: MMI may provide valuable information for the diagnosis of moderate and severe periodontitis when CAL is not obtainable during routine practice.
Keywords: Miller's mobility index; Negative predictive value; Nonsurgical periodontal therapy; Positive predictive value; Receiver operating characteristic curve; Tooth mobility.