Classification of the Vertical Component of Furcation Involvement

Abstract

The current classifications of teeth with furcation involvements refer mainly to the horizontal component of bone loss. This article presents a subclassification that measures the probeable vertical depth from the roof of the furca apically. The subclasses being proposed are: A, B and C. "A" indicates a probeable vertical depth of 1-3 mm, "B" 4-6 mm and "C" 7 or more mm of probeable depth from the roof of the furca apically. Furcations would thus be classified as IA, IB, IC, IIA, IIB, IIC and IIIA, IIIB, IIIC.

Periodontal probing in comparison to diagnosis by CT-Scan

“…The horizontal furcation measurements were classified into the following degrees: 0 (no furcation involvement), I (horizontal penetration S 3mm), II (horizontal penetration 4-6mm) and III (horizontal penetration> 6mm). The vertical bone loss of the furcation involvement was assessed apically from the roof of the furcation: A (1-3mm), B (4-6mm) and C (> 6mm) 26,27.…”

The effect of horizontal X-ray beam angulation on the detection of furcation defects of mandibular first molars in intraoral radiography

“…Simulated furcation defects were created step-by-step from the buccal side in the interradicular bone of the first molars with a 1 mm round burr, to mimic the clinical progression of plaqueinduced periodontal bone defect 12,15 (Figure 1). Initially, the buccal bony structure, including the cortical plate, was shaved vertically until the buccolingual width of the remaining plate reached approximately 2 mm (Figure 1).…”

“…12 This classification was carried out by two examiners (TH and MN) using i-View software (Morita, Kyoto, Japan). Almost all defects could be classified into the same grade between the two examiners.…”

“…On the other hand, the configuration of the furcation area [10][11][12] shows wide variations, and the geometrical relationship between the mesial and distal roots differs among subjects. 13,14 This relationship may influence the detectability of a furcation defect.…”

Unanswered Questions

“…There are several other classification systems (Ramfjord, 5 Tarnow and Fletcher, 6 and Hou and colleagues 7 ), some of which provide subcategories to the Hamp classification based on the severity of the furcation defect measured in a vertical direction from the fornix, or roof, of the furcation to the base, or floor, of the defect. The system described by Hamp and colleagues,4 however, remains widely used in both clinical practice and clinical research.…”