What is furcation involvement in dentistry?

Furcation is the anatomical area where the roots divide. Therefore, furcation defect (also called furcation involvement) refers to bone loss at the branching point of the roots. Furcation can only be present on multi-rooted teeth, not single-rooted teeth.

How is furcation invasion assessed?

Traditionally, FI is assessed with a combination of clinical detection and intraoral radiographs [8]. Clinically, FI is evaluated with a Nabers probe, and categorized according to Glickman’s or Hamp’s classification system based on horizontal bone loss at the furcation area [9, 10].

What is cul de sac in furcation?

Class II – Furcation defect is at least 3 mm in depth (and thus, in general, surpassing half of the buccolingual thickness of the tooth) but not through-and-through (i.e. there is still some interradicular bone attached to the angle of the furcation. The furcation defect is thus a cul-de-sac.

How is tooth furcation measured?

To measure the depth of furcation involvement, a straight probe, like the UNC-15 probe with 1 mm markings, is inserted into the periodontal pocket along the root surface to locate the initial fluting of the furcation. Once located, the distance from the gingival margin to the opening of the furcation is noted.

How do you treat furcation involvement?

Class I furcation involvements are predictably treated through odontoplasty, in which the roof of the furcation is recontoured to eliminate the cul-de-sac that traps plaque in a vertical dimension.

What is severe furcation?

A furcation defect is a dental condition in which bone loss, which usually results from periodontal disease, affects the base of the root trunk of a tooth where two or more roots meet.

How do you evaluate occlusion?

To perform an assessment of the patient’s class of occlusion, with the teeth in intercuspal position, retract the cheek on one side and then evaluate the position of the maxillary molar and canine relative to its mandibular counterpart.

Which tooth is most susceptible to furcation involvement?

The tooth most frequently and least likely displaying furcation involvement was the maxillary first molar and the mandibular second molar, respectively. Periodontal pockets, age, and smoking were risk indicators for furcation involvement.

How do I check my furcation with Nabers probe?

Which type of pocket is most common in furcation areas?

Infrabony pocket.

Pockets can also be spiral (i.e., originating on one tooth surface and twisting around the tooth to involve one or more additional surfaces) ,these types of pockets are most common in furcation areas.

What are the factors that cause furcation involvement?

These factors include (a) the morphology of the affected tooth, (b) the position of the tooth relative to adjacent teeth, (c) the local anatomy of the alveolar bone, (d) the configuration of any bony defects, and (e) the presence and extent of other dental diseases (e.g., caries, pulpal necrosis).

Which flap is used for furcation?

It is concluded that inner periosteal flap in BPF technique may serve as an alternative technique to GTR barrier membranes in case of Class II furcation defects.

What is the most effective tool in detecting the furcation involvement?

Based on these results, CBCT may be considered a reliable tool for detecting incipient furcation involvement following a clinical periodontal exam, even in the presence of a metallic post.

How do you clean a furcation?

The principle of sliding the brush on the tooth surface to clean the space called the furcation area applies here. As the brush gently enters the space and cannot go any further, press against the root and firmly wipe the plaque (germs and its sticky byproducts) off the root.

What does GTR stand for dental?

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a surgical procedure that specifically aims to regenerate the periodontal tissues when the disease is advanced and could overcome some of the limitations of conventional therapy.

How many furcations are in the upper molar?

Maxillary molars have three roots (mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal) with three furcation entrances (buccal, mesial and distal).

What is a Class 3 furcation?

Class I: Minimal but notable bone loss in furcation. Class II: Variable degree of bone destruction but not extending completely through furcation. Class III: Bone resorption extending completely through furcation.

How long do Multirooted teeth with furcation involvement survive with treatment?

The survival rate of molars treated nonsurgically was >90% after 5-9 years.