The Effect of Smoking on Epithelial Proliferation in Healthy and Periodontally Diseased Marginal Gingival Epithelium

Abstract

Smoking had an affect on the proliferation of cells in the oral gingival epithelium, regardless of periodontal status. The increase in thickness of the epithelium was not associated with smoking; periodontal status and inflammation seemed to be more important factors. Smoking induced the replication activity of gingival epithelium and induced DNA repair.