Outcome of Different Surgical Approaches in the Treatment of Class II Furcation Defects in Mandibular Molars: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this study was to investigate which factors play a major role in the healing of Class II mandibular furcation defects treated with different surgical techniques. Twenty-five systemically healthy subjects with periodontitis stage III grade B and Class II buccal mandibular furcation involvement received one of the following open flap debridement approaches: Group 1 (n = 10), no further treatment; Group 2 (n = 10), piezoelectric contouring of the furcation roof; Group 3 (n = 9), piezoelectric contouring of the furcation roof and bone grafting; Group 4 (n = 10), piezoelectric contouring of the furcation roof and bone grafting with coronally positioned flap. Clinical and radiologic variables—bleeding on probing, probing depth (PPD), vertical and horizontal bone level (CAL and PH), gingival recession, root trunk length, radicular separation, and furcation perimeter (FP)—were evaluated at baseline and 180 days and 1 year after surgery. All clinical parameters were statistically analyzed. Surgical techniques caused clinical (CAL, PPD, PH) and radiographic (FP) improvements. Regenerative techniques and the coronally positioned flap yielded a major radiographic reduction of furcation areas. All therapies resulted in significant horizontal and vertical PPD reduction and CAL gain.