Tobacco smoking and periodontal bone height in a Saudi Arabian population.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association between tobacco smoking, in particular water pipe smoking, and periodontal bone height.


METHODS
A study sample of 355 individuals in the age range 17-60 years was recruited from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The smoking behavior was registered through a questionnaire during interview. Participants were stratified into water pipe smokers (33%), cigarette smokers (20%), mixed smokers (19%) and non-smokers (28%). The periodontal bone height was measured from digital panoramic radiographs mesially and distally to each tooth and expressed as a percentage of the root length.


RESULTS
The mean periodontal bone height was 76.2% for water pipe smokers, 75.8% for cigarette smokers, 80.2% for mixed smokers and 80.9% for non-smokers. The association between smoking and mean bone height was statistically significant controlling for age (p<0.001). The association between life-time smoking exposure and mean bone height controlling for age was statistically significant in water pipe smokers and cigarette smokers (p<0.01). The prevalence of bone loss in excess of 30% of the bone height was 27% in water pipe smokers, 24% in cigarette smokers, 9% in mixed smokers and 6% in non-smokers. The prevalence was significantly greater in water pipe smokers and cigarette smokers compared with non-smokers (p<0.001). The relative risk of periodontal bone loss associated with water pipe and cigarette smoking after adjustment for age was 3.5-fold and 4.3-fold elevated, respectively, compared with non-smoking (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
An association between tobacco smoking and periodontal bone height reduction is observed. The impact of water pipe smoking is of the same magnitude as that of cigarette smoking.
Natto
Suzan
S
Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Odontology, Stockholm, Sweden. Suzan_natto@hotmail.com
Baljoon
Mostafa
M
Bergström
Jan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*