Furcation Classification — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModeratePeriodontology PrinciplesFurcation ClassificationMFDS Part 1

A 52-year-old patient with periodontitis undergoes full periodontal charting. A Nabers probe enters the buccal furcation of tooth 46 horizontally beyond one-third of the tooth width but cannot pass through the entire furcation. According to current SDCEP grading, how should the severity be recorded?

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Correct answer: C — Record Grade II furcation involvement

Option C is correct. SDCEP defines Grade II furcation involvement as horizontal loss of periodontal support exceeding one-third of the tooth width but not involving the total width of the furcation. Grade I is limited to less than one-third, while Grade III is through-and-through and permits the probe to traverse the entire furcation. BPE codes 3 and 4 describe periodontal probing-depth findings at sextant screening; they are not grades of furcation severity. Furcation detected during BPE is marked with an asterisk and then investigated using full periodontal examination and a furcation probe.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP). Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases in Primary Care, 2nd edition, Table 2.4: Grading of furcation involvement. November 2025. https://www.periodontalcare.sdcep.org.uk/media/vjgfn5ak/sdcep-prevention-and-treatment-of-periodontal-diseases-in-primary-care-2nd-edition-nov-2025.pdf