Tunneling is a periodontal surgical procedure that creates access for patient cleansing and maintenance within the furcal area of a molar tooth with severe furcation involvement. Up to date, there are few studies about a long term clinical and radiographic stability of tunneling. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the long term prognosis after tunnel preparation of molars with through and through furcation.

25 teeth of 23 patients aged 36 to 70 (mean age 51.7) were treated surgically with tunnel preparation. These cases were followed for 2 to 13 years (mean 6.5years) after surgery. Patients were recalled for an evaluation which was based on a questionnaire, a clinical examination, and radiographic analysis. Clinical assessment included plaque index, caries registration, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility. Baseline and over 2-year follow-up radiographs were collected and evaluated for this study.

3 teeth(12%) had been extracted and 1 tooth(4%) hemisected. Root caries was detected in 3 teeth(12%). Thus 72% of the teeth were still caries free and in function. Clinical parameters including PI, PD, BOP, mobility showed somewhat favourable results. Radiographic furcal bone loss showed no statistically significant difference compared to interproximal crestal bone loss (3.59±1.69% vs 3.42±2.95%) when root length was used as reference. There was no correlation between root trunk length and furcal bone loss.

Over 2 years after tunneling procedure, teeth showed a clinically and radiographically stable condition, despite of slight root caries and alveolar bone loss within clinically acceptable range. The tunnel procedure may be considered as a viable periodontal treatment option for molar teeth with severe furcation involvement in individuals following a regular maintenance program.