RESULTS OF LIMITED INITIAL PERIODONTAL THERAPY IN SMOKERS AND NONSMOKERS

EIGHTY-SEVEN ADULT PATIENTS (54 non-smokers and 33 smokers) with moder ate to advanced periodontitis were treated with 1-hour full-mouth subg ingival scaling and root planing, with no maintenance recalls, during this 9-month study. Clinical parameters assessed at target sites inclu ded probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, gin gival index, and plaque index. Data were collected at baseline, and 3, 6, and 9 months. Baseline probing depth for non-smokers was 5.46 +/- .46 mm and for smokers 5.70 +/- 0.66 mm. Data analysis (t test) reveal ed that both non-smokers and smokers had a statistically significant d ecrease (P < 0.05) in probing depth at 3 months which was maintained t hroughout the study. At 9 months non-smokers maintained a mean decreas e in probing depth of 0.60 mm and smokers a mean decrease of 0.65 mm. Both smokers and non-smokers displayed a significant gain (P < 0.05) i n clinical attachment level after initial therapy when compared to bas eline readings. At 9 months the mean gain in clinical attachment level for non-smokers was 0.47 mm and 0.59 mm for smokers. Plaque index sco res remained consistent for smokers and non-smokers for the duration o f the study. The gingival index at baseline was significantly (P < 0.0 5) lower in smokers (1.32 +/- 0.45) than non-smokers (1.45 +/- 0.40). By 9 months only the gingival index of non-smokers decreased significa ntly compared to baseline (1.26 +/- 0.37). Bleeding on probing was a p rerequisite for target sites at baseline. At 9 months both smokers (0. 67 +/- 0.39) and non-smokers (0.78 +/- 0.30) had a significant decreas e in bleeding on probing compared to baseline, At 9 months there were no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers comparing p robing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, bleeding on pro bing, and gingival index. The data have shown that smokers and non-smo kers responded similarly after 9 months to the limited amount of initi al therapy provided.