The relationship of cigarette smoking to postoperative complications from dental extractions among female inmates

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts.

Abstract

Complications were more frequent in smokers.

Main

Heng CH, Badner VM et al. Oral Surg 2007; 104: 757–762

Various factors have been associated with post-extraction complications. In a female prison of 1,400 inmates in Connecticut, extraction outcome was compared for the 8 months before and the 8 months after a ban on smoking introduced in September 2004.

In 69 smokers and 41 nonsmokers treated before the ban, complications were noted respectively in 19 and 4 (P =0.02). In 67 former smokers and 42 nonsmokers treated after the ban, complications were noted in 14 and 6 (NS). Complications were also more likely in mandibular 3rd molars (M3s), in surgical extractions and in smokers undergoing multiple extractions, especially before the ban. Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) specifically was increased in M3s, and in surgical extractions, but not in smokers.