Vital Root-resective Therapy in Furcation-involved Maxillary Molars

Inclusion Criteria * Minimum of 12 teeth present * Diagnosis of Severe Periodontitis stage III or IV (Tonetti et al., 2018) * At least one maxillary molar with: i) degree II-III horizontal furcation involvement (Eickholz and Walter, 2018), ii) class C vertical furcation involvement (bone loss up to the apical third of root cones) (Tarnow and Fletcher, 1984, Tonetti et al., 2017), iii) residual probing pocket depths \> 5 mm, iv) maximum mobility degree I (Hamp et al., 1975) and v) not already accessible for self-performed oral hygiene * Received a course of non-surgical periodontal therapy within the past six months * Positive response to electric and cold testing Exclusion Criteria Patient: * Full mouth plaque score \> 30% * A course of antibiotics within the past 3 months * Pregnant/lactating women * Relevant medical history as evaluated by the examining clinician which may have the potential to affect periodontal surgical treatment (such as disease affecting clotting ability) * Individuals on long-standing (2 or above years) supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) management plans Molar affected by FI: * Ongoing endodontic pathology affecting the furcation-involved molar, as judged by the examining clinician * Teeth associated with signs or symptoms indicative of pulpal or periapical pathology * Evidence of coronal cracks upon root resection * Previous periodontal surgical treatment to the furcation-affected molar within the previous 5 years * Endodontically treated toot…