Effect of smoking on the response to nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

To investigate the influence of smoking on the response of nonsurical periodontal treatment, at prospective study was carried out on 65 smokers and 68 nonsmoker controls. Both groups were examined periodontally for plaque, bleeding and loss of attachment, before and after a course of treatment with oral hygiene instructions, scaling, root planning periodontal and polishing. Before treatment, mean bleeding index score was significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers but scores were similar after treatment. Plaque index scores were similar in both groups before and after treatment. Loss of attachment score was significantly higher in smokers before treatment and remained higher after treatment. Smokers showed more signs of periodontal disease, and treatment did not reverse this fully.