Furcation Involvement and Its Treatment

Periodontal disease is characterised by the loss of connective tissue attachment induced by the presence of periodontal pathogens within the gingival sulcus. The destruction of periodontal tissues progresses in the apical direction affecting all periodontal tissues: cementum, periodontal ligament & alveolar bone. The degree to which a lesion progresses is affected by several factors: inflammatory response, type of bacteria present, organic conditions &local factors. In the posterior segments of dentition, numerous factors play a role in influencing the onset & progression of periodontal disease. The progress of inflammatory periodontal disease, if unabated, ultimately results in attachment loss sufficient enough to affect the bifurcation or trifurcation of multi-rooted teeth & this is one of the most serious sequela of periodontitis. The furcation is an area of complex anatomic morphology that may be difficult or impossible to debride by routine periodontal instrumentation.