Fremitus in Dentistry

Fremitus Overview

• Fremitus refers to the palpable vibration or movement felt in teeth during contact.
• It is an important indicator in dental examinations, often associated with occlusal discrepancies.

Causes of Fremitus

• A tooth exhibiting fremitus likely experiences excess contact, typically due to premature contact with opposing teeth.
• Premature contact may lead to abnormal wear or stress on dental structures.

Testing for Fremitus

• Testing involves applying pressure with the index finger on each maxillary tooth at the cervical third.
• The patient is asked to click their back teeth together.
• Clinician records teeth numbers where vibrations are detected.

Degrees of Fremitus

• Fremitus is assessed on a scale reflecting its intensity:

Normal (N)

• No vibration or movement is felt.

Slight (+)

• One degree indicates slight vibration observable.

Moderate (++)

• Two degrees show that the tooth is palpable, though movement is barely noticeable.

Severe (+++)

• Three degrees indicate visible movement observed during the test.