Comparison of Periodontal Conditions Between Smokers and Non smokers

Background: For the last decades, dental researchers have believed that smoking is a major risk factor for periodontal disease, affecting the prevalence, extent, and severity of disease. In addition, smoking adversely affects the clinical outcome of nonsurgical and surgical therapy. This study aims to evaluate the effects of smoking on oral health. In addition, due to the lack of studies that have simultaneously compared the periodontal condition in healthy smokers and smokers with periodontal disorders with healthy nonsmokers and nonsmokers with periodontal disorders, we assessed the periodontal condition in these four groups. Objectives: Assess the periodontal condition in healthy smokers and smokers with periodontal disorders and compare these conditions with nonsmokers. Patients and Methods: This historical cohort study included four groups: healthy smokers, smokers with periodontal disorders, healthy nonsmokers and nonsmokers with periodontal disorders. Each group consisted of 20 men with an age range of 20 - 30 years, according to the group specifications. The parameters assessed in this study included: plaque control record (PCR), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depths, clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival color, and gingival consistency. Results: There was not a significant difference in the prevalence of isolated microorganisms between the smokers and nonsmokers. However, the cigarette smoking group had adverse effect on other periodontal indices including PCR, CAL, and BOP. The Mean PCR and CAL were significantly higher in the two smoker subgroups than the nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Regarding gingival color, red and bluish-red colors were observed more in those with periodontal disease compared to healthy individuals, regardless of cigarette smoking (P = 0.000). Also, the firm gingival consistency was more frequent in healthy subjects and a spongy pattern was detected more in subjects with periodontal disease, regardless of smoking (P = 0.000). The BOP percentage in smokers was significantly lower than in nonsmokers (P = 0.000). Conclusions: Cigarette smoking increased some periodontal indexes including PCR and CAL, and reduced BOP (P < 0.05).