J Korean Acad Periodontol.  2009 Mar;39(1):53-58. 10.5051/jkape.2009.39.1.53.

Comparison of root resection and tunnel preparation in the clinical outcome of furcation-involved mandibular molars

• Kim CW
• Park JW
• Suh JY
• Lee JM

• KMID: 1783515
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5051/jkape.2009.39.1.53

Abstract

PURPOSE: The resective treatment in mandibular Degree III furcation areas includes root resection and tunnel preparation. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate which treatment procedure(root resection vs tunnel preparation) has more favorable prognosis in mandibular Degree III furcation involvement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The subjects of this study were patients who were treated their mandibular posteriors with either root resection(22 teeth on 22 patients) or tunnel preparation(24 teeth on 22 patients) and have participated in periodic recall check program for at least 2 years. Failure rate, plaque index, bleeding on probing and probing pocket depth were measured and the results were compared and statistically analysed.
RESULTS
Failure rates of root resection and tunnel praparation were 13.6% and 16.7%, respectively, and showed no significant difference between two procedures. No significant differences were observed between two procedures with respect to plaque index, bleeding on probing and probing pocket depth.
CONCLUSION
root resection and tunnel preparation are both effective procedures to treat mandibular posterior furcation involvement, if adequate treatment of choice is made and patient's cooperation is accompanied. However, tunnel preparation is more preservative procedure in mandibular posterior furcation involvement since root canal treatment and prosthetic restoration are needed additionally, in case of root resection.

Keyword

root resection; tunnel preparation; mandibular Degree III furcation areas

MeSH Terms

Dental Pulp Cavity
Hemorrhage
Humans
Molar
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Tooth

Figure

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  Figure 1 Tunneling of #36: preoperative radiograph and photo.

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  Figure 2 Tunneling of #36: postoperative radiograph and photo (25 months).

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  Figure 3 Root resection of #46: preoperative radiograph and photo.

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  Figure 4 Root resection of #46: postoperative radiograph and photo (5 years).

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