title: Is smoking a predictor of apical periodontitis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and the frequency of apical periodontitis in female and male patients seeking treatment at the University of Basel (KREBS Project).
  
  
  METHODS
  This cohort study included full-mouth periapical radiographs of 161 subjects, including 66 current smokers, 28 former smokers and 67 [corrected] individuals who had never smoked. The periapical region of all teeth was radiographically evaluated using the Periapical Index (PAI) score. Generalised linear mixed-effects models using the logit link were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of apical periodontitis differed based on gender and smoking status. Current male cigarette smokers with <10 or ≥10 pack years showed frequencies of apical periodontitis of 7.9 % and 7.5 %, [corrceted] respectively, compared to 4.1 % [corrected] in individuals who had never smoked. The corresponding data for female smokers were 5.8 % and 7.4 % [corrected] in smokers with <10 or ≥10 pack years, respectively, versus 5.2 % in individuals who had never smoked. The factors "prevalent coronal restoration" (p < 0.001), "prevalent root canal treatment" (p < 0.001) and "quality of root canal filling" (p < 0.001) were significant predictors for apical periodontitis. After adjustment for quality of root canal filling cigarette smoking was not associated with apical periodontitis in current female and male smokers with <10 or ≥10 pack years (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking status did not predict apical periodontitis in females and males in this sample group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With respect to quality of root canal filling, tobacco use may not be a significant predictor for apical periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology, Dental School, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 3, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fabiola-Regina
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Babür
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taner
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weiger
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*