EFFECTS OF SMOKING AND SMOKING CESSATION ON HEALING AFTER MECHANICAL PERIODONTAL THERAPY

This study investigated the effect of cigarette smoking on 143 patient s' clinical and microbiological responses to mechanical therapy. Treat ment included four to six sessions of subgingival scaling and root pla ning and instruction in oral hygiene. Results indicate that current sm okers have less healing and reduction in subgingival Bacteroides forsy thus and Porphyromonas gingivalis after treatment compared to former a nd nonsmokers, suggesting that smoking impairs periodontal healing. As the healing and microbial response of former smokers is comparable to that of nonsmokers, smoking cessation may restore the normal periodon tal healing response.