Multivariate outcome evaluation of furcation-involved molars treated with non-surgical mechanical therapy alone or combined with open flap debridement: A retrospective study

Treatment for Chronic Periodontitis with Class II Furcation Involvement: A Case Report with Four-year Follow-up

This report describes a case of generalized chronic periodontitis requiring periodontal treatment including surgery. The patient was a 64-year-old man who visited the Tokyo Dental College Suidobashi Hospital with the chief complaint of pain in tooth #27. An initial examination revealed a probing depth (PD) of ≥4 mm at 38.2% of sites and bleeding on probing at 26.5% of sites. Radiographic examination revealed vertical bone resorption in # 27, 34, and 47, and horizontal resorption in other areas. Based on a clinical diagnosis of severe chronic periodontitis, initial periodontal therapy consisting of plaque control, scaling and root planing was performed. Both #27 and #47 were extracted due to bone resorption extending as far as the root apex. After initial periodontal therapy, sites with a PD of ≥4 mm were observed at 16.7% of sites. Furcation involvement was observed in #16, 17, 36, and 37. The need and options for periodontal surgery based on these findings were explained to the patient. Open flap debridement was implemented for #16, 17, 31, 34, 36, and 37 to reduce periodontal pockets. After reevaluation, the patient was placed on supportive periodontal therapy. The results of the periodontal examination at first visit revealed a periodontal pocket depth of 6 mm and 7 mm in #16 and 17, respectively, and class II furcation involvement in both. Periodontal therapy with open flap debridement resulted in an improvement in horizontal bone resorption where there was class II furcation involvement. This improvement has been adequately maintained over a 4-year period.

Radiographic Evaluation of Regeneration Strategies for the Treatment of Advanced Mandibular Furcation Defects: A Retrospective Study

Teeth with furcation involvement (FI) present a higher risk of loss and are difficult to maintain. This study evaluated the efficacy of furcation defect regeneration (FDR) as a regeneration strategy. Pre-operative and 6-month postoperative radiographs were collected from patients receiving regeneration therapy for mandibular teeth with degree II and early degree III FI. The linear furcation involvement (LFI), ratio of LFI (RLI), LFI and RLI adjusted bythe alveolar bone crest (ABC), and radiographic intensity were assessed. The effects of demographic characteristics, regeneration treatment strategies, the relationship between furcation and ABC, and adjacent intrabony defect regeneration (AIDR) were evaluated using a generalized linear model and logistic regression. The results demonstrated that 1.5 mm adjusted LFI and 40% adjusted RLI were achieved in both pure furcation defects and combined furcation–angular defects by the combination of bone replacement grafts (BRG) and enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) or collagen membrane (CM); deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM) showed a superior outcome among BRG. In combined furcation–angular defects, EMD appeared more beneficial than CM, and AIDR significantly promoted adjusted LFI and RLI. In conclusion, DBBM with EMD or CM was effective for FDR, and AIDR had a positive effect on FDR in the combined furcation–angular defect.