1) The document discusses furcation involvement in multi-rooted teeth due to periodontal disease. It defines furcation defects and provides terminology to describe root anatomy involved in furcation defects. 2) Classification systems for furcation defects from Hamp and Glickman are presented, ranging from initial horizontal bone loss to complete bone loss exposing the furcation. 3) Diagnosis and treatment options for different degrees of furcation involvement are outlined, including furcation plasty, tunnel preparation, root separation/resection, guided tissue regeneration, and extraction.

1. ByBy
Dr. Syed Jaffar RazaDr. Syed Jaffar Raza
PG Trainee (Perio)PG Trainee (Perio)
FGSH, IslamabadFGSH, Islamabad
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FURCATIONFURCATION
InvolvementInvolvement
& its THERAPY& its THERAPY

2. Definition
“Furcation defect : Term used to describe bone loss, usually a result of
periodontal disease, affecting the base of the root trunk of a tooth
where two or more roots meet.”
OR
“Invasion of bifurcation and trifurcation
of multi-rooted teeth by periodontal
Disease”
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3. Terminology
Root complex is the portion of a tooth that is located
apical of the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ)
• The root complex may be divided into two parts:
• the root trunk and the root cone(s)
• The root trunk represents the undivided
region of the Root
• The root cone is included in the divided
region of the root complex
• The furcation is the area located between
Individual root cones.
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4. • Furcation entrance: the transitional area between the undivided and the
divided part of the root
• Furcation fornix: the roof of the furcation
• Degree of separation: the angle of
separation Between two roots (cones)
• Divergence: distance between two roots
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5. Divergence and degree of separation b/w
palatal and mesial roots
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6. Apical-occlusal view of a maxillary molar where the
three root cones make up the furcated region and
the three furcation entrances
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7. Buccal view of furcation entrance and its roof
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8. Etiology
• bacterial plaque and the
inflammatory consequences
that result from its long-term
presence
• local factors : affects plaque
deposition
• Age : increases with age
• Dental caries
• Pulpal death
• Bacterial invasion
• Trauma from occlusion
• Presence of enamel projections
Enamel Projections
into furcation
from CEJ
Proximity of furcation
to the CEJ
13% 75%
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9. Classification
Horizantal Component
involvement
Vertical component
involvement
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10. Hamp et al. (1975) classification
• Degree I: Horizontal loss of periodontal support not
exceeding 1/3 of the width of the tooth
• Degree II: Horizontal loss of periodontal support
exceeding 1/3 of the width of the tooth, but not
encompassing the total width of the furcation area
• Degree III: Horizontal "through and through" de-
struction of the periodontal tissues in the furcation
area
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11. Glickman`s Classification
 Grade I:
 early stage of furcation involvement
 supra bony pocket
 increase probing depth due to early bone loss
 radiographic changes not found
 Grade II:
 cul-de-sac with definitely horizantal component
 portion of bone remain in the furcation region
 vertical bone loss may or may not be present.
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12. Glickman`s Classification
 Grade III:
 bone is not attached to dome of furcation
 Complete loss of interadicular bone
 appearance of radiolucent area with pocket formation
 Grade IV:
 loss of attachment and gingival recession
 furcation is clinically visible
 Probe passes easily through and through.
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13. Glickman`s Classification
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14. Diagnosis
• The following parameters should be recorded
to evaluate the amount of tissue loss in
periodontal disease and also to identify the
apical extension of the inflammatory lesion
 pocket depth (probing depth)
 attachment level (probing attachment
level)
 furcation involvement (measured with
nabers probe)
 Radiographs
Radiographs
periapical
bitewing
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15. Pocket Depth
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16. Nabers probe for furcation areas
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17. Technique of Nabers Probe
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18. Therapy
Furcation I Furcation II Furcation III
Scalling and
root planning
Furcation
plasty
Furcation
Plasty
Tunnel
preparation
RSR
GTR
Tunnel
preparation
RSR
Tooth
extration
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19. Therapy Objectives
Removal of the
Bacterial Plaque
Restoration of
Healthy anatomy
Of periodontium
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20. Furcation plasty
• Tooth substance is removed (odontoplasty) and the alveolar
bone crest is remodeled (osteoplasty) at the level of the
furcation entrance
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21. Furcation plasty procedure
 Reflection of soft tissue flap.
 Removal of the inflammatory soft tissue
 scaling and root planning of the exposed root surfaces.
 The removal of crown and root substance in the
furcation area (odontoplasty)
 The recontouring of the alveolar bone crest
(osteoplasty)
 positioning and the suturing of the mucosal
flaps at the level of the alveolar crest in order to
cover the furcation entrance with soft tissue.
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22. Tunnel preparation
 Technique used to treat deep degree II and degree III
furcation defects in mandibular molars
 Following hard and soft tissue resection enough space
has been established in the furcation region to allow
access for cleaning devices to be used during self
performed plaque control
 The flaps are apically positioned
 The exposed root surfaces should be treated by
topical application of chlorhexidine digluconate and
fluoride varnish. Because of pronounced risk for root
sensitivity and for carious lesions developing on the
denuded root surfaces within artificially prepared
tunnels
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23. Tunnel preparation
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24. Root separation and resection (RSR)
 Root separation involves the sectioning of the root
complex and the maintenance of all roots.
 Root resection involves the sectioning and the
removal of one or two roots of a multirooted tooth.
 RSR is frequently used in cases of deep degree II
and degree III furcation involved molars.
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25. Criteria for RSR
• The length of the root trunk
A tooth with a short root trunk is a good candidate for RSR;
• The divergence between the root cones
Roots with a short divergence are technically more difficult to separate
than roots which are wide apart
• The length and the shape of the root cones
Short and small root cones following separation tend to exhibit an
increased mobility
• Amount of remaining support around individual roots
This should be determined by probing the entire circumference of the
separated roots
• Stability of individual roots
• Access for oral hygiene devices
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26. Regeneration of furcation defects
• "guided tissue regeneration" (GTR) therapy is provided
• GTR is more successful in degree II furcation involvements then in
degree III involvements
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27. GTR limits
• The morphology of the periodontal defect 
Horizantal bone loss
• The anatomy of the Furcation with complex
morphology  more in maxillary than mandibular
tooth
• The varying and changing location of the soft tissue
margins during the early phase of healing with a
possible recession of the flap margin and early
exposure of both the membrane material and the
fornix of the Furcation
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28. GTR feasibility improves if
• Adequate debridement area of exposed root
surface
• The membrane material is properly placed
• A plaque control program is put in place.
This should include daily rinsing with a
chlorhexidine solution and professional
toothcleaning once a week for the first month, and
once every 2-3 weeks for at least another 6
months of healing following the surgical
procedure
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29. Extraction option
• Through and through Furcation defects (degree III and IV)
• Advance attachment loss
• Un-adequate plaque control
• High caries activity
• Non compliance of the patient
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30. The ENDThe END
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