Evaluation of a new furcation stent as a fixed reference point for class II furcation measurements

To date probing of the furcation using sounding has been one of the reliable methods to assess horizontal component of furcation in multirooted teeth. A more precise and reliable measurement of this horizontal component of furcation involves using a fixed reference point providing stability and reproducibility of measurements. A custom stent is used to provide a fixed reference point and can be used pre- and post-surgically without re-entry. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to (1) assess the reliability of furcation measurements by direct probing (without stent) and with the use of a newly designed furcation stent and (2) to assess the furcation measurements in relation to gingival margin position pre- and post-operatively.

Forty-three chronic periodontitis patients with buccal grade II furcation involvement in maxillary or mandibular molars were included. The furcation involvement was measured by direct probing using a UNC-15 calibrated probe with and without using a custom stent. The furcation involvement and gingival margin position were measured pre- and post-surgically.

There was a significant reduction in plaque (PI) and gingival inflammation (GI) during the study period. The reduction in plaque index and gingival index was observed from 1.75 +/- 0.35 to 0.92 +/- 0.30, 1.88 +/- 0.35 to 0.98 +/- 0.29, respectively. Complete agreement was found between the first and the second measurement for about 74% of sites without the custom stent, whereas 86% of the sites measured using the stent had complete agreement. The differences never exceeded 1 mm for any of the sites. There was significant (t = 2.49; p<0.05) difference observed at complete agreement level ('0' difference).

It may be concluded the clinical attachment level-H of the furcation involvement using a PCP UNC-15 probe and a custom designed stent provides reproducible information about the furcation depth in multirooted teeth.

Use of a simple modified furcation stent has shown greater reproducibility of furcal depth measurements than direct probing without the stent. The furcation stent definitely addresses the problems of existing methods of horizontal furcal depth measurements reported in the literature. The major advantages of the newly designed stent are the simple construction and non-invasive application which translates to wide practical applications.