Smoking influences the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal treatment

The results of this new research are to be presented at EuroPerio9, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry.

Dr Aorra Naji, periodontist, from the Centre for Oral Rehabilitation, Department of Periodontology, Falun, Sweden, said: 'Non-surgical periodontal treatment significantly reduced pockets greater than 4 millimetres deep in both smokers and non-smokers. Nevertheless, we found that the reduction was more pronounced in non-smokers, one year after treatment.'

Periodontal pockets are formed between the gum and the root of the tooth, where bacteria can concentrate and release toxins that can affect the body’s immune system and lead to loss of supporting attachment. If left untreated, pockets could lead to tooth loss. Reducing the inflammation and thereby also the pocket depth is important to avoid more attachment loss around the affected teeth.