title: Smoking may affect the alveolar process dimensions and radiographic bone density in maxillary extraction sites: a prospective study in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Loss of ridge width and height typically occur after tooth extraction. This study aimed to investigate whether smoking would effect alveolar ridge remodeling after tooth extraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one individuals (11 nonsmokers, 10 smokers) requiring a nonmolar extraction in the upper jaw were selected. Radiographs were taken 7 and 180 days after surgery, and the following parameters obtained: alveolar process height (AH), alveolar process width (AW), radiographic bone density in the postextraction socket (BDS), and in the pre-existing bone apically (BDPB).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six months after surgery, intragroup analysis showed that both groups presented a significant reduction in AH, while only smokers had a significant reduction in AW, BDS, and BDPB (P < .05). Furthermore, intergroup analysis showed that smokers presented lower BDS (91.45 pixels +/- 26.62 and 59.53 pixels +/- 19.99, for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively; P = .006) and continued to present lower BDPB (129.34 pixels +/- 42.10 and 89.29 pixels +/- 29.96, for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively; P = .023). Additionally, smokers presented a tendency for lower AH and AW than nonsmokers, but this was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of the present study, smoking may lead to a more significant dimensional reduction of the residual alveolar ridge and postpone postextraction socket healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Bezerra
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Saldanha
authors.forename: Marcio Zaffalon
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Casati
authors.forename: Francisco Haiter
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.forename: Enilson Antonio
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Sallum
authors.forename: Francisco Humberto
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Nociti
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology