Initial Prompt
Evaluating furcation involvement is essential for the dental hygienist to make an appropriate DHDX and treatment plan. Furcation involvement results from progressive periodontal disease breakdown, which exposes root surfaces. The worse the periodontal disease gets, the worse the furcation and the greater the chance of tooth loss. Furcation involvement is measured using the Nabor’s probe on bifurcated or trifurcated roots. The Nabor’s probe measures the furcation involvement with grades I, II, III, or IV. Grade I measures between 1-3mm. Grade II measures between 4-6mm. Grade III measures between 7-9mm. Grade IV measures anything above 9mm, and the roots are visibly seen through. The dental hygienist needs to evaluate furcation involvement because many dental caries may occur with furcations, and the hygienist needs to be able to clean the area properly. Furcation involvement is sometimes seen radiographically, and other times, it is not due to the grade of the furcation.
