The effect of furcation involvement on tooth loss in a population without regular periodontal therapy

AimWe aimed to assess the association between furcation involvement (FI) and tooth loss for subjects not undergoing regular periodontal treatment. Materials and MethodsData from 2333 subjects participating in the baseline and 11-year follow-up of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were used. All subjects had half-mouth periodontal examinations, including FI in one upper and one lower molar, at baseline. A total of 1897 subjects and 3267 molars were included in the final analysis. ResultsIn total, 375 subjects (19.8%) lost molars during the follow-up period. Respectively, 5.6%, 12.7%, 34.0% and 55.6% of molars without FI, degree I FI, degree II FI and degree III FI were lost. Initial probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were associated with molar loss (p<.001). Baseline degree I FI was associated with a 1.73 IRR (incidence rate ratio) (95% CI=1.34-2.23, p<.001) of tooth loss while degree II-III was associated with a 3.88 IRR (95% CI=2.94-5.11, p<.001) of tooth loss compared to molars without FI at baseline. ConclusionThis study provides evidence for an increased risk of molar loss affected by periodontal furcation involvement in a general population not undergoing regular periodontal care.