Comparative analysis of prevalence of apical periodontitis in smokers and non-smokers using cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and size of periapical lesions among smokers and non-smokers using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: -test, Pearson correlation and multiple regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of apical periodontitis was 13.93% in smokers and 14.26% in non-smokers with no significant difference (p = 0.936). The mean of the average size of lesions between the two groups were almost comparable, 3.50 mm in smokers and 2.89 mm in non-smokers (p = 0.567). Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis showed that the percentage of lesion present and the average lesion size were not correlated to any independent variable. CONCLUSIONS: While smoking is considered a risk factor for marginal periodontitis, there was no difference between smokers and non-smokers in terms of apical periodontitis.