What is teeth furcation?

The furcation is the area of a tooth where the roots diverge from the main body of the tooth. When a tooth has multiple roots, the furcation is the area where the roots meet.

The furcation can be classified based on its level of exposure. Grade I furcation involvement means that the furcation can be felt with a dental probe. Grade II furcation involvement means that the probe can go into the furcation, but not all the way through. Grade III furcation involvement means that the probe can pass completely through the furcation. Grade IV furcation involvement means that the furcation is completely exposed and can be seen with the naked eye.

Furcation involvement can occur due to periodontal disease which can lead to bone loss around the tooth and cause the furcation to be exposed. It can also occur due to tooth trauma or poor dental hygiene.

Treatment for furcation involvement may include scaling and root planing, flap surgery, bone grafts, and regenerative procedures. In severe cases, extraction of the tooth may be necessary.