Prevalence and characteristics of furcation involvement with possible etiologic factors in population associated with swami Vivekanand subharti university, Meerut - An epidemiological study

Introduction: Furcation defects occur when bifurcation or tri-furcation of multi-rooted teeth are involved as a result of periodontal disease. The extent and configuration of the defect determines the prognosis and treatment planning. Aim and Objective: Aim of the study is to quantify and analyse the prevalence and characteristics of furcation involvement (FI) and also to plan the possible treatment modality. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 systemically healthy subjects between 30 - 60 years, selected randomly from population within Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, of which 42 were females and 58 males. After ethical clearance and obtaining consent from subjects, UNC-15 probe and calibrated Naber’s furcation probe was used to clinically detect the configuration of FI based on the Glickman’s classification. Data obtained was statistically analysed and results arrived at. Result: Total of 57 subjects had furcation involvement out of which, subjects between 30-40 years especially males had maximum furcation involved teeth. A total of 370 molars were examined of which 247 had furcation involvement while 123 were unaffected. Mandibular molars showed a higher prevalence rate as compared to maxillary molars, 21.05% vs 14.03%, with right quadrant being more afflicted. Conclusion: Most common etiologic factors were low income group, brushing once/day and using tooth powder. Grade-II FI being most common and Grade-IV being the least. Non-surgical periodontal treatment was planned for all the cases with second stage surgery to be carried out in 68.42%.