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Preshaw PM, Heasman L et al. J Clin Periodontol 2005; 32: 869–879

Smoking markedly increases prevalence, severity and extent of periodontitis, and also reduces the effect of treatment. In this study, periodontitis was treated non-surgically in 49 smokers who wished to quit smoking. Individual smoking cessation counselling was provided. After 1 year, complete data were available for 26 subjects who were then divided into 3 groups according to quitting status. There were 10 definite quitters (Q), 10 definite non-quitters (N), and 6 who oscillated between smoking and not smoking (O).

Mean 1 yr probing depth reduction from baseline was 1.57 for Q group, 1.12 for N and 1.08 for O (P < 0.05 for Q versus O+N). Mean probing attachment level remained unchanged in each group, though it appeared greater in Q throughout. Bleeding scores decreased following treatment in all groups, though without differences between groups. Plaque scores followed a similar trend. The authors consider the additional improvement in Q group may be a consequence of quitting smoking.