Treatment for Chronic Periodontitis with Class II Furcation Involvement: A Case Report with Four-year Follow-up

This report describes a case of generalized chronic periodontitis requiring periodontal treatment including surgery. The patient was a 64-year-old man who visited the Tokyo Dental College Suidobashi Hospital with the chief complaint of pain in tooth #27. An initial examination revealed a probing depth (PD) of ≥4 mm at 38.2% of sites and bleeding on probing at 26.5% of sites. Radiographic examination revealed vertical bone resorption in # 27, 34, and 47, and horizontal resorption in other areas. Based on a clinical diagnosis of severe chronic periodontitis, initial periodontal therapy consisting of plaque control, scaling and root planing was performed. Both #27 and #47 were extracted due to bone resorption extending as far as the root apex. After initial periodontal therapy, sites with a PD of ≥4 mm were observed at 16.7% of sites. Furcation involvement was observed in #16, 17, 36, and 37. The need and options for periodontal surgery based on these findings were explained to the patient. Open flap debridement was implemented for #16, 17, 31, 34, 36, and 37 to reduce periodontal pockets. After reevaluation, the patient was placed on supportive periodontal therapy. The results of the periodontal examination at first visit revealed a periodontal pocket depth of 6 mm and 7 mm in #16 and 17, respectively, and class II furcation involvement in both. Periodontal therapy with open flap debridement resulted in an improvement in horizontal bone resorption where there was class II furcation involvement. This improvement has been adequately maintained over a 4-year period.