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.