Furcoplasty
Pronunciation: fur-koh-PLAS-tee
A surgical periodontal procedure that reshapes the furcation area of a multi-rooted tooth to improve access for cleaning and reduce the depth of the furcation defect.
Full Definition
Furcoplasty involves the surgical recontouring of tooth structure and/or alveolar bone at the furcation of multi-rooted teeth, primarily molars, to create a self-cleansable environment and reduce bacterial stagnation. It is typically performed as an adjunct to osseous surgery. Editors should distinguish furcoplasty from odontoplasty, which refers more broadly to tooth reshaping, and from root resection, which involves the complete removal of a root. The procedure name should be rendered as one unhyphenated word.
Usage
Usage note: One word, no hyphen. Not to be confused with 'furcation involvement', which is a diagnostic classification, not a procedure.
In Context
- "Furcoplasty was performed on the maxillary first molar to reduce the Class II furcation defect to a self-cleansable contour." — Periodontal surgery operative report
- "The clinician elected furcoplasty rather than root resection, citing the remaining bone support." — Periodontics case conference notes