Use of hemisection in an attempt to preserve multirooted teeth that have furcation involvement has increased in recent years. However, there are few long-term studies of the success of this treatment. Furthermore, it is difficult to compare results of different studies because of differences in the length of follow-up and the criteria for failure. Results of various studies were reduced to a common denominator to allow comparison. The compiled results of studies on hemisection revealed an average reported failure rate of 13.1%. This rate was compared with results of studies on implants; the failure rates of the two treatment alternatives are not substantially different. Thus, because hemisection is a relatively simple, inexpensive treatment with a good chance of success (given appropriate case selection), it should always be considered as an option before molar extraction.