Which sign is characteristic of subluxation?

Prepare for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Oral Boards. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your exam!

In subluxation a tooth becomes loosened but stays in its socket. The key sign is increased mobility without any displacement, reflecting injury to the periodontal ligament and supporting tissues. Gingival crevice bleeding is a classic accompanying finding because the injury often disrupts the small vessels in the gingival sulcus, so probing or gentle testing elicits bleeding. This combination of mobility without displacement plus gingival sulcus bleeding distinguishes subluxation from other traumas. By contrast, mobility with displacement points to luxation, pulp necrosis is not an immediate sign and can develop later, and a visible fracture line indicates a fracture rather than subluxation.