Resective procedures in the management of mandibular molar furcation involvement: A report of three cases

Abstract

The presence of attachment loss in the furcation is one of the most serious anatomical sequela of periodontitis. Furcations are not accessible for professional debridement, since their entrance is small compared with the size of periodontal instruments, and they present with ridges, convexities, and concavities that make it difficult for clinicians to debride effectively. In cases, where advanced defects are seen, treatment may involve combining, endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics so that the teeth are retained in whole or in part. Advances in dentistry have provided the opportunity for clinicians to provide patients with the option of retaining their teeth in the long-term. Such teeth can be useful as independent units of mastication or as abutments in simple fixed bridges. This article presents three cases of mandibular molar furcation involvement, which were treated by three different therapeutic modalities. Clinical Relevance to Interdisciplinary Dentistry Management of a furcation involved tooth requires an inter-disciplinary approach to enhance the long-term prognosis. The success rate of resective procedures is high if the case selection, treatment plan, treatment sequence are well-executed. The importance of inter-disciplinary approach is highlighted by the success of these clinical scenarios.