Two different therapies used to treat molars with gum disease.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Survival of molars with degree III periodontal furcation involvement following non-surgical or surgical therapy: a multicentre single-masked superiority randomised controlled trial.
IRAS ID
362794
Contact name
Luigi Nibali
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Gum disease (periodontitis) is a common condition where the tissues and bone that support the teeth become inflamed and break down. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. In some back teeth (molars), this damage affects the space where the roots divide, called a furcation. When the bone loss is very advanced (known as “degree III furcation involvement”), treatment becomes especially difficult. At present, there is little high-quality evidence to guide dentists on the best way to manage these severely affected teeth.
This research will test whether surgical treatment (cleaning and rebuilding the tissues under the gum through an operation) or non-surgical treatment (cleaning and maintenance without surgery) is better at helping people keep these teeth in the long term. The main outcome we are looking at is tooth survival over five years. We will also look at other factors such as gum health, tooth mobility, risk of new infections, quality of life, treatment costs, and time needed for care.
Adults with severe gum disease and at least one molar with advanced furcation involvement may be eligible to take part. Patients must already have received basic gum treatment before joining.
The study will be carried out in a specialist dental centre in the UK. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. They will then be followed up regularly for five years, with check-ups, questionnaires, and dental assessments.
The findings will help patients and dentists make better-informed decisions about whether surgical or non-surgical treatment is most effective for preserving teeth with advanced gum disease.
This research is funded through academic and clinical partnerships, and participants will not have to pay for study treatments.REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0269
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion