Which sign of occlusal trauma is characterized by a vibratory movement of a tooth when biting?

• A. Fremitus
• B. Toothache while chewing
• C. Wear facets
• D. Widened PDL

Answer: (A)

Fremitus is the sign of occlusal trauma where a tooth shows a vibratory movement when the patient bites or taps the teeth together. This occurs because excessive occlusal forces cause the tooth to move slightly within its socket during contact, which can be felt as a tremor or vibration on the tooth. You test it by having the patient bite and then placing a finger on the buccal or labial surface of the tooth to feel for any vibration. A positive fremitus indicates functional overload or an occlusal interference contributing to traumatic loading of the periodontium. The other signs describe different concepts: toothache while chewing points to pain from loading but not a vibratory sign; wear facets reflect long-term surface wear from grinding rather than a dynamic vibration; and a widened periodontal ligament space is a radiographic finding indicating periodontal stress, not a tactile vibration.