Furcation involvement in molars strongly associated with molar loss

An individualized approach to dental and periodontal care requires a detailed understanding of factors relevant for future events. In an attempt to predict tooth survival over the long term, multiple prognostic tools have been developed and validated in selected populations. Among tooth-related parameters, furcation status has been identified as a highly relevant factor. The available evidence, however, originates from studies performed on small populations followed in specialist care. Corresponding assessments in large populations with high external validity are lacking.

This registry-based retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of furcation status on the risk for molar loss.

Subjects with and without furcation involvement (FI) in 2010/2011 were identified in a nationwide registry in Sweden (age- and gender-matched sample: 381,450 subjects; 2,374,883 molars). Data on dental and periodontal status were extracted for the subsequent 10-year period. Impact of Furcation involvement (at baseline or detected during follow-up) on molar loss (i.e., tooth extraction) was evaluated through multilevel logistic regression and survival analyses.

Results

• Furcation involvement had a significant impact on molar loss.

• Furcation involvement degrees 2 and 3 resulted in adjusted risk ratios of 1.67, respectively. Following the first detection of deep Furcation involvement (degrees 2–3), estimated survival decreased by 4% at 5 years and 8% at 10 years.

• In addition to Furcation involvement, endodontic status and probing depth were relevant risk factors for molar loss.

Furcation status had a clinically relevant impact on the risk for molar loss. However, after first detection of deep Furcation involvement, the decline in molar survival was minor.

Reference:

Trullenque-Eriksson, A., Tomasi, C., Petzold, M., Berglundh, T., & Derks, J. (2022). Furcation involvement and tooth loss: A registry-based retrospective cohort study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 1– 9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13754

Keywords:

Journal of Clinical Periodontology, tooth loss, Trullenque-Eriksson, A., Tomasi, C., Petzold, M., Berglundh, T., & Derks, J, Furcation involvement