A NON- INVASIVE, CLINICO-RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF 3D IMAGING FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF FURCATION INVOLVED CASES COMPARED TO THE CONVENTIONAL METHODS

Periodontal diagnosis of a multirooted tooth is essentially based on accurate diagnosis of the furcation involvement. Though the traditional diagnostic tools like clinical probing and radiological findings are the basic diagnostic measures, still they have some significant shortcomings. So, the 3-D technology like CBCT may be useful in cases of furcation lesions. Thus, the objective of the present study is to compare Degree II and Degree III furcation involvement by clinical probing, conventional (IOPA) radiograph and CBCT. In the present study, a total of 51, Degree II and Degree III mandibular furcation defect sites were measured by means of clinical probing, gridded IOPA x-ray and with CBCT.

The degree of furcation involvement by clinical probing (vertical component) were matched in 47.1% cases with IOPA X-ray (vertical component) and the findings of furcation involvement by IOPA X-ray (vertical) were matched in 56.9% cases with that of CBCT. Furthermore, measurements of furcation involvement by clinical probing (horizontal component) were matched in 51.0% cases with CBCT (horizontal) and finally, findings by clinical probing (vertical) were matched in 68.6% cases with CBCT (vertical). Hence in the present study, CBCT may be a better alternative, non-invasive method for diagnosis of Degree II and Degree III furcation defects in mandibular molars.