Experimental gingivitis in cigarette smokers: A clinical and microbiological study

Abstract

Objective: To assess clinical and microbiological changes during experimental gingivitis in cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Material and Methods: Eleven current smokers (≥ 5 years) and 11 (never-) non-smokers periodontally healthy or with gingivitis (PPD ≤ 4 mm) were included. According to the original model (Löe et al. 1965), an experimental 3-week plaque accumulation period resulting in experimental gingivitis and a subsequent 2-week period of optimal plaque control were performed. Subgingival plaque samples were collected at Days 0, 21 and 35 from one site per quadrant, pooled and analysed using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Results: Smokers {mean age: 24.7 ±2.2 [standard deviation (SD)] years, range 21-28 years} had a mean lifetime cigarette exposure of 6.4 ± 2.8 (SD) pack-years, while non-smokers presented with a mean age of 23.1 ± 2.2 (SD) years (range 21-29 years). Between Days 0, 21 and 35, no statistically significant differences in mean Plaque and mean Gingival Index scores were observed between smokers and non-smokers. In both smokers and non-smokers, mean total DNA probe counts did not significantly differ nor increase between Days 0 and 21. Also, between Days 21 and 35 they did not significantly differ nor decrease. This was also true for the various proportions of bacterial complexes. Conclusion: Both current smokers and (never-) non-smokers reacted to experimental plaque accumulation with gingival inflammation. Periodontal and microbiological parameters assessed in current cigarette smokers did not significantly differ from those in non-smokers during an identical period of experimental plaque accumulation. Hence, the early host response to the bacterial challenge appears to be of similar magnitude and timing in both groups. Copyright © Blackwell Munksgaard 2005.