Long-term effect of smoking on vertical periodontal bone loss.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of smoking on vertical periodontal bone loss over 10 years.


METHODS
The study base consisted of a population that was examined on two occasions with a 10-year interval, including 91 individuals, 24 smokers, 24 former smokers, and 43 non-smokers. The assessment of vertical bone loss was based on full sets of intra-oral radiographs from both time points. The severity of vertical bone loss was expressed as the proportion of proximal sites with vertical defects per person.


RESULTS
The 10-year increase in the proportion of vertical defects was statistically significant in all groups (p<0.001) and, in addition, significantly associated with smoking (p<0.05). In particular, the difference between smokers and non-smokers was significant (p<0.01) whereas former smokers did not differ from non-smokers. Moreover, the 10-year vertical bone loss was significantly greater in heavy exposure smokers than in light exposure smokers suggesting an exposure-response effect (p<0.01). Compared with non-smokers the unadjusted 10-year relative risk was 2.3-fold increased in light exposure smokers and 5.3-fold increased in heavy exposure smokers (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The present observations indicate a significant long-term influence of smoking on vertical periodontal bone loss, yielding additional evidence that smoking is a risk factor for periodontal bone loss.
Baljoon
Mostafa
M
Institute of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 04 Stockholm, Sweden. Balgoon@hotmail.com
Natto
Suzan
S
Bergström
Jan
J
D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*