Clinical and histopathological study of pulp condition in cases of furcation involvement

ABSTRACT

Sixty six patients with furcation involvement were studied clinically through careful examination including grade of furcation involvement [Grade I, II, III and IV], pulp vitality and x-ray pictures. In this work, no definite relationship was found between pulp tester readings and the pathological condition of the pulp. Histological examination was done on serial paraffin sections prepared from 36 molar teeth of which 6 were of grade, I, 6 of grade II, 12 of grade III and 12 of grade IV. It was found that teeth presented with grade I and II furcation involvement usually have almost normal pulp Grade III showed partial and total pulpitis in nearly half of the cases Grade IV revealed pulp abscess formation, degeneration and necrosis in most of the cases. This study showed the necessity of proper treatment planning in the form of Careful periodontal therapy. 2. Occlusal adjustment to minimize further resorption of the bony septum in the furcation. 3. Cases presented with grade III furcation involvement, treatment should be done as before together with endodontic treatment as normal pulp was not found and changes as pulp death may occur in this grade following deep periodontal therapy 4 Cases presented with grade IV furcation involvement are mostly hopeless, however careful clinical and radiographic examination may necessitate endodontic treatment together with root resection and hemisection in suitable conditions