Smoking May Affect the Alveolar Process Dimensions and Radiographic Bone Density in Maxillary Extraction Sites: A Prospective Study in Humans

Saldanha, Juliana Bezerra; Casati, Marcio Zaffalon; Neto, Francisco Haiter; Sallum, Enilson Antonio; Nociti, Francisco Humberto

doi:10.1016/j.joms.2006.05.021

« Previous Next »Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 64, Issue 9 , Pages 1359-1365, September 2006

Smoking May Affect the Alveolar Process Dimensions and Radiographic Bone Density in Maxillary Extraction Sites: A Prospective Study in Humans

Juliana Bezerra Saldanha, DDS, MS
- PhD Student, Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Marcio Zaffalon Casati, DDS, MS, PhD
- Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Francisco Haiter Neto, DDS, MS, PhD
- Associate Professor, Department of Oral Diagnostics, Division of Radiology, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Enilson Antonio Sallum, DDS, MS, PhD
- Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Francisco Humberto Nociti Jr, DDS, MS, PhD
- Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Nociti: Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Av. Limeira 901, CEP: 13414-903, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

Purpose

Loss of ridge width and height typically occur after tooth extraction. This study aimed to investigate whether smoking would effect alveolar ridge remodeling after tooth extraction.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-one individuals (11 nonsmokers, 10 smokers) requiring a nonmolar extraction in the upper jaw were selected. Radiographs were taken 7 and 180 days after surgery, and the following parameters obtained: alveolar process height (AH), alveolar process width (AW), radiographic bone density in the postextraction socket (BDS), and in the pre-existing bone apically (BDPB).

Results

Six months after surgery, intragroup analysis showed that both groups presented a significant reduction in AH, while only smokers had a significant reduction in AW, BDS, and BDPB (P < .05). Furthermore, intergroup analysis showed that smokers presented lower BDS (91.45 pixels ± 26.62 and 59.53 pixels ± 19.99, for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively; P = .006) and continued to present lower BDPB (129.34 pixels ± 42.10 and 89.29 pixels ± 29.96, for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively; P = .023). Additionally, smokers presented a tendency for lower AH and AW than nonsmokers, but this was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Within the limits of the present study, smoking may lead to a more significant dimensional reduction of the residual alveolar ridge and postpone postextraction socket healing.