Objectives: To investigate the pattern of severity of periodontal disease in smokers and non-smokers.
Methods: A retrospective stratified random sample of 49 smokers and 39 non-smokers records were selected from an audit database collected over 18 months in a dental hospital environment. Probing depth data was retrieved from the original records and DPTs were re-examined for bone loss measurements. Differences were tested using analysis of variance.
Results: Analysis of the data indicated a higher overall mean bone loss in smokers (6.24 mm, standard deviation 1.42) than in non-smokers (5.24±2.09). Smokers also had a lower proportion of sites with bone loss less than 4.5 mm (27±15%) than non-smokers (49±24%). More bone loss was observed in the maxilla than the mandible in both groups (p<0.05). The mean probing depth and proportion of sites with probing depth greater than 4mm showed no differences between smoker and non-smokers. Differences between smokers and non-smokers in the severity of periodontal disease in the upper anterior, upper posterior, lower anterior and lower posterior regions were minimal, although the maxillary anterior region showed the largest difference between groups.
Conclusion: This study did not provide evidence that smoking had a local effect on periodontal status, and it is likely that the systemic effect of smoking is the major influence on periodontal disease severity.