Accuracy of three-dimensional imaging in assessing maxillary molar furcation involvement.

AIM

To assess the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting furcation involvement (FI) in maxillary molars.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fourteen patients with generalized advanced chronic periodontitis were consecutively recruited and treated non-surgically. In maxillary molars considered for furcation surgery due to increased FI and/or increased probing pocket depths during re-evaluation, CBCT was performed and the degree of FI was evaluated from the CBCT images. Furcation surgery was performed in 25 maxillary molars. Intra-surgical FI assessments were compared with data derived from CBCT images.

RESULTS

Overall, 84% of the CBCT data were confirmed by the intra-surgical findings (weighted kappa=0.926, 95% confidence interval: 0.681-1.0). While 14.7% (11 sites) were underestimated (CBCT less than intra-surgical value), in only 1.3% (one site) did the CBCT data lead to an overestimation compared with the intra-surgical analysis. The agreement between both assessments was the highest in distopalatal furcation entrances, followed by buccal and mesiopalatal.

CONCLUSIONS

CBCT images demonstrate a high accuracy in assessing the loss of periodontal tissue and classifying the degree of FI in maxillary molars.