Evaluation of the Effects of Smoking on Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture Using CBCT in Periodontal Disease

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze changes in trabecular bone quality associated with smoking inindividuals with periodontal disease using morphometric analysis of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)images. Materials-Methods: The study involved 90 systemically healthy patients who were smokers (>=10cigarettes/day) or non-smokers, and were indicated for CBCT.Clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, clinicalattachment loss (CAL)) were recorded. Participants were divided into two main groups based on smoking statusand three subgroups based on periodontal diagnosis: gingivitis, Stage I-II periodontitis, and Stage III-IVperiodontitis (n=15). Mandibular first molars and central incisors without prosthetic restorations, endodonticlesions, or root canal treatments were included. Two volumetric regions of interest (ROIs) with dimensions of5x5x10 mm were selected around the apices of these teeth: posterior ROI and anterior ROI. Trabecular bonemicro-architecture was analyzed using the BoneJ plugin for morphometric parameters: anisotropy (DA), bonevolume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). Statistical analysis wasperformed using Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.