Evaluation of keratinization and AgNORs count in exfoliative cytology of normal oral mucosa from smokers and non-smokers.

Abstract

The Endobrush allows the clinician to obtain deeper cells of buccal mucosa. Smokers with clinically normal mucosa show a greater percentage of keratinized cells and a greater nucleolar activity, suggesting that cigarette smoking influences the cellular activity of the mucosa of the lateral tongue.