What is the description of a floating tooth?

A floating tooth is described as a tooth that is loose but not avulsed. It typically indicates a situation where the tooth has lost its supporting structures, such as the bone and gum tissue, yet remains in the socket. This can happen due to various factors, including periodontal disease or trauma. The term "floating" is used because the tooth feels unstable and as though it could be easily dislodged, even if it has not yet fallen out.

In contrast, options referring to extensive decay or a pontic in a dental bridge do not capture the specific condition of a tooth being loose without being completely dislodged. An impacted wisdom tooth, on the other hand, is one that cannot properly emerge into the mouth, often due to lack of space, and has no relation to being described as "floating." Thus, the correct understanding of a floating tooth aligns with its definition as a tooth that remains in position yet lacks stability.