Smoking cessation may present a positive impact on mandibular bone quality and periodontitis-related bone loss: a study in rats

J Periodontol. 2005 Apr;76(4):520-5. doi: 10.1902/jop.2005.76.4.520.

Abstract

Background: It has been previously shown that cigarette smoke inhalation (CSI) enhances bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis. In this study, the hypothesis that the interruption of smoke exposure would reverse the impact of CSI on mandibular bone quality and periodontitis-related bone loss was tested.

Methods: Fifty-three Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group 1: control, N = 16; group 2: 83 days of CSI prior to ligature placement, N = 17; or group 3: 90 days of CSI before and 60 days after ligature placement, N = 20. Animals were sacrificed 60 days after ligature placement, the jaws removed and immediately radiographed for photodensitometry analysis. Bone loss was histometrically evaluated.

Results: CSI did not affect unligated sites in either condition (P >0.05); however, smoke inhalation during the whole experimental period significantly enhanced bone loss in ligated teeth (P < 0.05). Moreover, similar levels of bone loss were observed for ligated teeth between the control and cessation groups (0.90 +/- 0.33 mm(2); 0.96 +/- 0.32 mm(2); 1.64 +/- 0.65 mm(2); groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Radiographically, continuous exposure to cigarette smoke promoted a significantly reduced bone density (1.74 +/- 0.38 aluminum equivalence [Al eq]; 1.74 +/- 0.14 Al eq; and 0.68 +/- 0.10 Al eq for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively).

Conclusions: Within the limits of the present investigation, it can be assumed that CSI may enhance bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis, and negatively impact mandibular bone quality. Additionally, smoke exposure cessation seems to reverse its impact on mandibular bone, and, therefore, may be of clinical relevance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / diagnostic imaging
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / etiology
  • Alveolar Bone Loss / prevention & control*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Bone Density
  • Ligation
  • Male
  • Mandible / diagnostic imaging
  • Mandible / pathology
  • Periodontitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Periodontitis / etiology
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking Cessation*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric