A Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Parameters in the Evaluation of Molar Furcation Involvement in Periodontitis

摘要

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare clinical, intra-surgical, 2D (panoramic) and 3D(CBCT)-based parameters in assessing molar furcation involvement (FI). Materials and Methods: Sixpatients with generalized periodontitis Stage II to IV, Grade B and C who were scheduled for the periodontalflap surgical treatment were recruited in the study. In total, 38 molar teeth with 93 furcationsites were analysed. All subjects had comprehensive periodontal examination, which included an assessmentof molar FI using Naber’s probe according to modified Glickman’s classification. Periodontalsurgery was performed in patients with at least one maxillary molar with probing depth of ≥6 mm.This probing demonstrated lower grade of FI compared with intra-surgical findings. Results: Periodontalprobing, intra-surgical measurement and measurements based on CBCT significantly correlatedwith each other regarding the assessment of FI, with r values ranging between 0.81 to 1.00(p0.01). The correlation of panoramic radiograph with periodontal probing was 0.49, with CBCT 0.39and with intra-surgical measurements 0.36. The results showed an excellent agreement and higheraccuracy between intra-surgical measurements and CBCT (0.96), in contrast to clinical examinationand panoramic radiography- 0.87 and 0.63 respectively. Different clinical and radiological modalitiesshowed a correlation among each other. They are accurate and have their own benefits, whichmakes (renders) them useful in establishing periodontal diagnosis and treatment planning. Conclusion:However, CBCT offers significant advantages including excellent agreement and higher accuracyand can be used as justified as excellent diagnostic tool in detecting and locating FI to provide amore reliable diagnosis and basis for treatment decisions.