Effects of furcation involvements on periodontal status and healing in adjacent proximal sites

In a recent study it was found that following non-surgical treatment, probing depth (PD) reduction in proximal sites is significantly less in the presence of a vertical destruction in the adjacent site of the neighboring tooth. The present investigation was undertaken to study whether the presence of a proximal furcation involvement also influences the periodontal conditions in the adjacent site of the neighboring tooth.

The investigation was conducted as a retrospective study on a consecutive referral population based on full-mouth oral radiographic examinations and PD and plaque score registrations. The statistical analyses were performed on a final sample of 136 patients, with 153 (periodontal status) and 123 (periodontal healing) second maxillary premolars with an adjacent first maxillary molar.

Baseline pockets were significantly deeper, relative radiographic attachment levels significantly reduced, and periodontal PD significantly less reduced after non-surgical treatment in the distal sites of second maxillary premolars adjacent to first maxillary molars with a mesial furcation involvement of degree > or = 2, compared to distal sites adjacent to first maxillary molars with a mesial furcation involvement of degree < or = 1.

Periodontal status and healing after non-surgical treatment in proximal sites are negatively influenced by the presence of a deep furcation involvement in the adjacent site in the same proximal space. The presence of a deep proximal furcation involvement should consequently be considered a risk factor for the adjacent site of the neighboring tooth.