Furcation area and root proximity of molars as a risk indicator of periodontitis: a cone-beam computed tomography-based study

Abstract

Objectives This study assessed the root proximity in molars and the furcation area (FA) in the first root separation point (RSP) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and evaluated the association between the furcation area of molars and periodontal status of the patients. Methods A total of 264 molar teeth in 66 participants were included in the study. The control group consisted of 110 molar teeth of participants, and 154 molar teeth were included in periodontitis group, which consisted of only stage II and III periodontitis patients. FA, RSP, and root proximities were measured in axial slices, and bone resorption rates were measured in sagittal slices. Results Both maxillary and mandibular molar groups had significantly less FA in periodontitis group than in controls (p < 0.005), and there were significant relationships between the degree of bone resorption in molars and FA and furcation grades (p < 0.001). According to regression analysis, the risk of periodontitis increased by 1.011 times as total FA decreased (p < 0.001), and periodontitis risk of maxillary molar was 1.693 times higher than mandibular molars but not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.152). When assessing the root proximity between molar teeth, maxillary molars showed significantly higher root proximity in CEJs than mandibular molars in both periodontitis and control groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions The results indicate that the association between FA and the degree of bone resorption and root proximity of maxillary molars might be considered as a risk indicator for bone resorption in molars and might play a role during disease progression.