Previous studies have not verified whether the amount of tobacco smoking influences long-term periodontal outcomes. A prospective clinical cohort study investigated the influence of different levels of smoking on periodontal healing for 12 months after nonsurgical periodontal therapy and supportive periodontal care every third month. Eighty smokers willing to quit smoking and with periodontitis were included. Participants were offered individualized voluntary smoking cessation programs.
The study revealed heavy smokers with the most severe forms of periodontitis obtained no benefit from treatment, while heavy smokers with moderate periodontitis only had a 50 percent effect from treatment, compared to smokers who consumed less tobacco. Also, heavy smokers experienced a progressive clinical attachment loss (CAL) of 0.5mm, despite this particular group receiving the most extensive, individually-designed periodontal treatment.
The study highlights the importance for smokers to understand that working towards smoking cessation is a crucial step in effective treatment of periodontitis.
The authors concluded smoking cessation should be part of periodontal therapy. Otherwise, the effect of treatment is hindered and limited benefits would be observed among heavy smokers.
