The purpose of this study is to compare the healing aspects of the use of ePTFE membrane alone versus combination treatment of ePTFE membrane and bone grafts on class II furcation defects. Seventeen defects were applied ePTFE membrane alone on mxillary molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group I, seventeen defects were applied ePTFE membrane and bone grafts on maxillary molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group II, twenty-three defects were applied ePTFE membrane alone on mandibular molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group III, twenty defects were applied ePTFE membrane and bone grafts on mandibular molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group IV. Measurements were made to determine clinical attachment level, probing depth, gingival depth, SBI, mobility at baseline, 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. Additional measurements were made to determine membrane exposure level at surgery, 1, 2, 6 weeks postoperatively. And then healing patterns and postoperative complications were evaluated. The result as follows: There were statistically significant differences in probing depth reduction, clinical attachment gain, mobility reduction at values of 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively compared to values of baseline(p<0.05), whereas no significant differences in SBI and gingival recession. In group II, membrane exposure level was increased at 1, 2, 6 weeks postoperatively compared to value of baseline(p<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in changes of probing depth at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively in combination groups of ePTFE membrane and bone graft compared to groups of ePTFE membrane alone(p<0.05). The vast majority of cases fall into typical healing and delayed healing response when membranes were removed in all groups. Pain and swelling were common postoperative complications. In conclusion, this study was showed more effective healing aspects in combination treatment of ePTFE membrane and bone graft than ePTFE membrane alone and on mandibular molar class II furcation defects than maxillary molar.
Furcation Defects* ; Gingival Recession ; Membranes ; Molar ; Postoperative Complications ; Transplants

This study was designed to compare the effects of treatment using chitosan membrane (Nanogide-C(R)) resorbable barrier with control treated by polylactic acid/polylacticglycolic acid membrane(PLA/PLGA membrane, Biomesh(R)). 44 furcation defecs from 44 patients with class 2 furcation degree were used for this study, 22 sites of them were treated by chitosan membrane as experimental group and 22 site were treated by PLA/PLGA membrane as control group. Clinical parameters including probing depth, gingival recession, attachment level and radiographic examination were evlauated at base line, 1 month, 2 month and 3 month. after surgery. Statistical test used to analyze these data included paired t-test, one way ANOVA. The results are as follows : 1. Probing depth was significanlly decreased in the two group and there were significant differences between groups(p<0.05). 2. Gingival recession was not significanlly increased in the two group and there were no significant differences between groups(p<0.05). 3. Loss of attachment was statistically decreased in the two group and there were no significant differences between groups(p<0.05). 4. Horizontal bone level was significanlly increased in the two group and there were significant differences between groups(p<0.05). On the basis of these results, chitoans resorbable membrane has similar potential to PLA/PLGA membrane in GTR for furcation defect.
Chitosan ; Furcation Defects* ; Gingival Recession ; Guided Tissue Regeneration* ; Humans ; Membranes

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting furcation involvement (FI) in maxillary molars. METHODS: Thirty-one maxillary molars of 15 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis considered for furcation surgery were assessed. Clinical examination and CBCT were performed, and the FI degree was evaluated. Clinical and CBCT-based FI assessments were compared with intrasurgical data. RESULTS: The agreement between clinical and intrasurgical assessments was weak in all sites, with a kappa of less than 0.4; the complete, overestimated, and underestimated agreement percentages were 42.0%, 24.7%, and 33.3%, respectively. The agreement between the CBCT and intrasurgical assessments was strong, with a ka ppa of 0.831; the complete, overestimated, and underestimated agreement percentages were 88.2%, 3.2%, and 8.6%, respectively. The agreement between both assessments was the highest in the buccal furcation entrance (κ=0.896), followed by that in the distopalatal (κ=0.822) and mesiopalatal (κ=0.767) furcation entrances. CONCLUSIONS CBCT images demonstrated high accuracy in assessing the horizontal bone loss of FI in maxillary molars.
Chronic Periodontitis ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Furcation Defects ; Humans ; Molar

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the tooth loss status of mandibular molars with furcation involvements after 5-year non-surgical periodontal treatment, and to analyze the factors that affected the tooth loss. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 79 patients with chronic periodontitis, who had received non-surgical periodontal treatment and 5 years of periodontal maintenance treatment in Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from 1988 to 2012. Their clinical indexes, including probing depth (PD), bleeding index (BI), furcation index (FI) and tooth mobility were both evaluated before treatment and at the last time of the maintenance treatment. Bone resorption at furcation area was measured at the first visit by periapical radiographs taken by professional doctors of medical imaging. The status of tooth loss after 5-year non-surgical periodontal treatment on mandibular molars with furcation involvement, and the factors that affected the tooth loss were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Non-surgical treatment was significantly effective on the changes of PD in the patients of chronic periodontitis with furcation involvement, while the presence of furcation involvement could affect the improvement of PD here. (2) PD at the furcation area, tooth mobility, vertical bone resorption, and bone resorption area were all significant risk factors of mandibular molar missing (P<0.001), and the same with FI=3 and FI=4 (P=0.017, P=0.007), while age (P=0.703), gender (P=0.243) and smoking history (P=0.895) were not related to the tooth loss in this study. (3) The risk of tooth loss in mandibular molars with FI≥3 were significantly higher than those with FI≤2, and the survival rate of the former was less than 50%. CONCLUSION The loss of mandibular molars with furcation involvement was related to the furcation involvement, meanwhile the degree of furcation involvement and bone resorption can significantly increase the risk of tooth loss.
Chronic Periodontitis ; Furcation Defects ; Humans ; Molar ; Retrospective Studies ; Tooth Loss

Due to the complicated anatomical structures in the furcation area of multirooted mandibular first molars, dental hygiene is greatly compromised once the furcation is involved in the periodontitis, leading to the unfavorable prognosis of teeth with furcation involvement. A patient came to a dental office with the chief complaint of "mobile mandibular posterior tooth" 27 years ago. The periapical film showed alveolar bone resorption at the root furcation of the right mandibular first molar. Flap surgery and fine supportive therapy were conducted. The patient was diagnosed with "furcation involvement Class Ⅲ" during a revisit three years ago. Satisfactory and healthy periodontal statuses were observed 2, 9, 24, and 33 months after the periodontal flap surgery plus tunneling procedures. A follow-up of 27 years in the present case demonstrated that a favorable prognosis of furcation involvement can be achieved after adequate periodontal treatment.
Follow-Up Studies ; Furcation Defects/surgery* ; Humans ; Mandible ; Molar ; Periodontitis

Furcation involvement (FI) is the lesion and destruction of periodontium that spread to the root furcation of multi-root teeth, where periodontal pockets, loss of periodontal attachment and resorption of alveolar bone are formed. Furcation involvement is a common concomitant lesion of periodontitis. The severity of furcation involvement can directly affect the prognosis of periodontitis. However, the specificity of the anatomical structure of the root furcation greatly increases the difficulty of treatment. Therefore, early detection and treatment of furcation involvement is crucial for the prevention and control of periodontitis. This paper briefly describes the pathogenesis of furcation involvement and discusses the diagnosis, classification and treatment of this disease, which is helpful to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment of furcation involvement.
Humans ; Molar ; Furcation Defects/therapy* ; Periodontitis/complications* ; Periodontal Pocket ; Prognosis

The purpose of this study was to compare clinical results of guided tissue regeneration(GTR) using either a nonresorbable ePTFE membrane or a resorbable membrane made from a synthetic copolymer of glycolide and lactide(PLGA) in the treatment of human class II furcation defects. The ePTFE membranes were applied to 16 patients with maxillary molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group I, PLGA membranes were applied to 15 patients with maxillary molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group II, ePTFE membranes were applied to 20 patients with mandibular molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group III and PLGA membranes were applied to 20 patients with mandibular molar buccal class II furcation defects as Group IV and bone graft materials(DFDBA) were applied in all groups. Probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, tooth mobility and sulcus bleeding index(SBI) were measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12months postoperatively. In addition, membrane exposure levels were measured at surgery, 1, 2 and 6weeks postoperatively and postoperative complications were evaluated. The results were as follows: In all groups, there were statistically significant differences in probing depth reduction, gain of clinical attachment and mobility reduction at values of 3, 6 and 12months postoperatively compared to values of baseline, whereas no significant differences in SBI except Group I and gingival recession(p<0.05). Membrane exposure levels were increased at 1, 2 and 6weeks postopratively compared to value of baseline in Group I(p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between ePTFE and PLGA membrane in probing depth, clinical attachment level and SBI. There were minimal gingival recession and membrane exposure in Group IV and pain and swelling were the most common postoperative complications in Group II, III(p<0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that both nonresorbable membrane and resorbable membrane were effective similarly in the treatment of class II furcation defects, without statistical differences in clinical measurements.
Furcation Defects* ; Gingival Recession ; Hemorrhage ; Humans* ; Membranes* ; Molar ; Postoperative Complications ; Tooth Mobility ; Transplants

The aim of our study is to achieve complete periodontal tissue regeneration by the application of BMP and resorbable membrane. Three beagle dogs aged over one and half years and weighed 14 to 16 kg were used in this study. Mandibular 1st, 2nd premolars were extracted bilaterally. Horizontal furcation defects were induced around 3rd, 4th premolars bilaterally. BMP-4 were applied in the right side with resorbable membranes and only resorbable membranes were applied in the left side respectively. Each animal was sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8weeks, after regenerative surgery. Specimens were prepared with Hematoxylin-Eosin stain and Goldner's modified Masson Trichrome stain for light microscopic evaluation. The results were as follows: 1. At 2 weeks after regenerative surgery, downgrowth of junctional epithelium was observed both in the membrane-applied site and BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 2. At 4 weeks after regenerative surgery, resorbable membranes were completely resolved, therefore would not prevent downgrowth of junctional epithelium. New bone formation, new cementum formation and Sharpey's fiber were observed in BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 3. At 8 weeks after regenerative surgery, downgrowth of junctional epithelium was observed in the membrane-applied site. But, new cementum formation was observed in the same site. The extensive regeneration of new bone, new cementum and remarkable formation of Shapey's fiber were showed in BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 4. Resorbable membranes were resolved via the cell-mediated processes. 5. Periodontal tissue regeneration were better achieved in the BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site than in the membrane-applied site. Within the above results, BMP-4 may have the strong capability to form the new bone and resorbable membrane may be able to prevent the bony ankylosis. However, resolution rate of resorbable membrane may not be enough to protect rapid epithelial downgrowth for ideal periodontal regeneration. In conclusion, I suggest BMP-4 may have the strong possibility to be utilized in the clinical periodontal treatments.
Animals ; Ankylosis ; Bicuspid ; Dental Cementum ; Dogs ; Epithelial Attachment ; Furcation Defects ; Membranes* ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration*

The purpose of this 6-months study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes following guided tissue regeneration treating human mandibular Class II furcation defects with a bioabsorbable BioMesh barrier(test treatment) or a non-absorbable ePTFE barrier(control treatment). Fourteen defects in 14 patients(mean age 44 years) were treated with BioMesh barriers and ten defects in 10 patients(mean age 48 years) with ePTFE barriers. After initial therapy, a GTR procedure was done. Following flap elevation, root planing, and removal of granulation tissue, each device was adjusted to cover the furcation defect. The flaps were repositioned and sutured to complete coverage of the barriers. A second surgical procedure was performed at control sites after 4 to 6 weeks to remove the nonresorbable barrier. Radiographic and clinical examinations(plaque index, gingival index, tooth mobility, gingival margin position, pocket depth, clinical attachment level) were carried out under standardized conditions immediately before and 6 months after surgery. Furthermore, digital subtraction radiography was carried out. All areas healed uneventfully. Surgical treatment resulted in clinically and statistically equivalent changes when comparisons were made between test and control treatments. Changes in plaque index were 0.7 for test and 0.4 for control treatments; changes in gingival index were 0.9 and 0.5. In both group gingival margin position and pocket depth reduction was 1.0mm and 3.0mm; clinical attachment level gain was 1.9mm. There were no changes in tooth mobility and the bone in radiographic evaluation. No significant(p< or =0.05) difference between the two membranes could be detected with regard to plaque index, gingival index, gingival margin position, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. In conclusion, a bioabsorbable BioMesh membrane is effective in human mandibular Class II furcation defects and a longer period study is needed to fully evaluate the outcomes.
Furcation Defects ; Granulation Tissue ; Guided Tissue Regeneration* ; Humans* ; Membranes ; Periodontal Index ; Radiography ; Root Planing ; Tooth Mobility

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare tooth surface characteristics in extracted human molars after cervical enamel projections (CEPs) were removed with the use of three rotating instruments. METHODS: We classified 60 extracted molars due to periodontal lesion with CEPs into grade I, II, or III, according to the Masters and Hoskins' criteria. Each group contained 20 specimens. Three rotating instruments were used to remove the CEPs: a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler, a periodontal bur, and a diamond bur. Tooth surface characteristics before and after removal of the projections were then evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We analyzed the characteristics of the tooth surfaces with respect to roughness and whether the enamel projections had been completely removed. RESULTS: In SEM images, surfaces treated with the diamond bur were smoothest, but this instrument caused considerable harm to tooth structures near the CEPs. The piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler group produced the roughest surface but caused less harm to the tooth structure near the furcation. In general, the surfaces treated with the periodontal bur were smoother than those treated with the ultrasonic scaler, and the periodontal bur did not invade adjacent tooth structures. CONCLUSIONS: For removal of grade II CEPs, the most effective instrument was the diamond bur. However, in removing grade III projections, the diamond bur can destroy both adjacent tooth structures and the periodontal apparatus. In such cases, careful use of the periodontal bur may be an appropriate substitute.
Dental Enamel* ; Dental Instruments ; Furcation Defects ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Molar* ; Root Planing ; Tooth ; Ultrasonics