[Tooth Mobility Evaluation -A Comparison with Dental Assessment-].

Abstract

Background: Patients with mobile teeth are at an increased risk of tooth injury related to tracheal intu- bation. Although the presence/absence of mobile teeth is confirmed through interviews during preoperative visits, patients are frequently unaware of the presence of such teeth. In our facility, dental consultation is pro- vided for all patients undergoing thoracoscopically- assisted surgery as part of the management of oral hygiene. This study examined the presence/absence of mobile teeth reported by patients during preoperative visits and those identified on dental consultation, focus- ing on the inconsistency between them.

Methods: Patients who had undergone thoraco- scopically-assisted surgery in our facility between Janu- ary and October 2014 were retrospectively studied. Tooth mobility was evaluated using the Miller index.

Results: Among the 76 (46 males and 30 females) patients aged 36 to 88 (mean: 67.8), mobile teeth were identified on dental consultation in 13 and reported during preoperative visits by 8.

Conclusions: Based on this findings, it may be nec- essary to pay sufficient attention when inserting tubes even when mobile teeth have not been reported by patients during preoperative visits.