Smoking and the Outcome of Therapy for Localized Gingival Recessions

Objective: The present study evaluated the effect of smoking in the coverage of localized gingival recessions when a sub-epithelial connective tissue graft was used. Methods: 20 subjects, with ages between 15 and 60 years old, participated. Each one provided one Class I or II localized gingival recession to be treated using a sub-epithelial connective tissue graft (Langer & Langer, 1994). 11 subjects were smokers (10+ cigarettes a day) while 9 were non-smokers. After hygienic phase (baseline) and at 3 and 6 months the following parameters were recorded: gingival index, plaque index (Quigley & Hein), probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, vertical gingival recession, horizontal gingival recession and width of keratinized gingiva. Means were analyzed using paired-t-test. Results: No differences were found for gingival and plaque index, probing pocket depth or width of keratinized gingiva, within or between groups. Both groups, smokers and non-smokers showed significant reductions in vertical and horizontal recessions and gains in clinical attachment levels (p<.001), with no differences between groups. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study the effect of smoking does not seem to be detrimental to the clinical results achieved.