INTRODUCTION: When the bifurcations and trifurcations of multirooted teeth are invaded by a periodontal disease process, it is referred to as furcation involvement. The treatment of these defects is extremely complex but determines the prognosis and survival of the teeth with affected furcation.
AIM: The aim of this study is to specify current treatment approaches for different types of furcation defects.
DISCUSSION: Today, we are familiar with the fact that teeth with furcation defects are considered teeth with a doubtful prognosis or non-rational for treatment in periodontal therapy. Because of their morphological features, accessibility, and the complexity of the healing, furcation defects pose a challenge to doctors. Over the years, a variety of studies have been conducted regarding the treatment of teeth with affected furcation. Non-surgical periodontal therapy has repeatedly been shown to lead to unsatisfactory results in these teeth (the exception being isolated cases of teeth with class 1 furcation defects). The reason for this lies in the inability to perform adequate debridement in relation to the anatomy of the furcation. Based on numerous studies and their results, nowadays it is clear that for teeth with a furcation defect (mostly class 2 and less often class 1) the most used methods are those of regenerative therapy. Class 3 furcation defects are the ones where the teeth are indicated for resective surgery or extraction with subsequent implant placement in the area.
CONCLUSION: The presented study shows that presently in class 1 furcation defects, emphasis is placed on non-surgical periodontal therapy. In class 2 furcation defects, particular attention is paid to regenerative treatment methods, and in class 3 furcation defects, if radical actions are chosen, such as tooth extraction and implant placement afterwards, or if there are contraindications for such—there is a compromise option involving specific resective methods.
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