Smokeless tobacco (snuff) use and periodontal bone loss.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate a possible association between the use of Swedish moist snuff and periodontal bone loss.


METHODS
The study was carried out on 84 apparently healthy men in the age range 26-54 years, 25 current snuff users, 21 former snuff users, and 38 never-users. The periodontal bone height was evaluated from bitewing radiographs measuring the distance from the cement-enamel junction (CEJ) to the periodontal bone crest (PBC) at pre-molars and molars in each quadrant of the dentition.


RESULTS
The mean (95% confidence interval (95% CI)) CEJ-PBC distance was 1.00 (0.87-1.13), 1.12 (0.97-1.26), and 1.06 (0.95-1.16) mm for current users, former users, and never-users, respectively. The association between snuff use and bone height level controlling for age was not statistically significant (anovaF = 0.3, p > 0.05). There was, further, no statistically significant difference between light and heavy exposure users controlling for age (anovaF = 1.0, p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations suggest that the use of Swedish moist snuff is not associated with periodontal bone loss.
Bergström
Jan
J
Institute of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. jan.bergstrom@ki.se
Keilani
Hamed
H
Lundholm
Christian
C
Rådestad
Urban
U
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001641:Bicuspid; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging