Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aims: There is not sufficient knowledge about the relationship between smoking and vertical bone loss in periodontal diseases. There are also important evidences which propose harmful effects of smoking on periodontal tissues including alveolar bone. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between smoking and prevalence and severity of vertical bone defects.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study consisted of 71 individuals with angular bone defects (case) and 69 individuals without angular bone defects (control) between 18 to 70 years old. People were selected by radiography, examining and filling up the questionnaire. Vertical bone defect was defined as interproximal bone resorption to the extent of ≥2mm with a clear angel towards the Mesial or Distal of root. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Result: The mean age of studied individuals was 37.14 years (±12.72). Among people with angular bone defects, 21.1% were light smokers and 25.4% were moderate-heavy smokers. There was a significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers in terms of smoking status and the chance of having angular bone defects (P=0.001). Simultaneous study of the effect of sex, age, brushing and smoking status showed that except sex, other variables have a significant effect on angular bone defects. The chance of having angular bone defects in light and heavy-moderate smokers was more than that in nonsmokers (adjusted OR=4.17 and adjusted OR=3.87, respectively).
Conclusion: These observations propose that smoking is related to increase in prevalence and severity of vertical bone defects. Smoking is considered as a potential risk factor for vertical periodontal bone loss.

Background and Aims: Periodontitis does not affect on all patients by the same way. There are some risk factors in some people that make them more sensitive to progress of periodontitis. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and special pathogens increase the risk of periodontitis. Other factors such as stress, depression and anxiety, are not crucial risk factors for periodontitis yet. Biologic explanation of this relation is that mental conditions and exposure to stressful situations can alter immune response. The aim of this study was to review the psychological factors of anxiety and depression associated with periodontitis.

Materials and Methods: For this review article, we have searched through internet by the following keywords periodontal disease, anxiety, depression. We have tried to cover almost all dental– related sites and journals as well as Pubmed from 1990-2010.

Conclusion: Most published studies support a positive relationship between periodontitis and several psycho-social factors. Life style, stressful conditions, hormonal changes, nonchalance in oral hygiene, habits such as smoking are predisposing factors in periodontal diseases.