title: Is there a positive effect of smoking cessation on periodontal health? A systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the detrimental effects of tobacco on the periodontal tissues have been reported extensively, little is known about the potential beneficial effect of smoking cessation on periodontal health. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation on periodontitis progression and response to periodontal therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent reviewers completed the review process through title (n = 118), abstract (n = 24), and whole-paper selection (n = 5). Sources include Medline and EMBASE databases (up to December 2012) and a reference list of selected studies. Prospective studies comparing progression rates of periodontitis between smokers and quitters and clinical trials evaluating the effect of smoking-cessation programs, alone or in combination with periodontal treatment, were included. At least 1 year of follow-up was required for inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 331 potentially relevant publications, five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Because of heterogeneity of the studies, a meta-analysis could not be performed. One study reported that the progression of clinical attachment loss (AL) ≥3 mm during a 6-year period was approximately three times higher among smokers than quitters (P <0.001). Two studies (10 and 20 years of follow-up) observed a decrease in radiographic bone loss of ≈30% among quitters when compared with smokers. Among individuals receiving non-surgical periodontal treatment, quitters were more likely to have periodontal probing depth reductions (P <0.05) than non-quitters/oscillators. No differences in AL were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the limited available evidence, smoking cessation seems to have a positive influence on periodontitis occurrence and periodontal healing.
authors.affiliation: Section of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fiorini
authors.forename: Marta Liliana
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Musskopf
authors.forename: Rui Vicente
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Oppermann
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Susin
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000503:physiopathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016540:Smoking Cessation