Alexandra-Cornelia Teodorescu, Ioana-Andreea Sioustis, Cristina-Gena Dascalu, Silvia Teslaru, Irina-Georgeta Sufaru, Diana-Cristala Nitescu-Kappenberg, Maria-Alexandra Martu, Ionut Luchian, Liliana Pasarin, Sorina-Mihaela Solomon, Silvia Martu
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of smoking on salivary RANKL and OPG levels in patients with generalized, stage III, grade B periodontitis. Material and methods: The salivary concentrations of RANKL and OPG were determined for 18 patients, aged between 23 and 50 years old, of which 8 were smokers, all presenting with a form of generalized, stage III, grade B periodontitis. Results: smokers had higher salivary levels of RANKL (p=0,0009) and a higher RANKL/OPG ratio (p=0,019), compared to non-smokers. OPG salivary levels did not differ much between smokers and non-smokers. Conclusions: Smoking has a higher impact on RANKL than on OPG salivary levels, for patients with generalized, stage III, grade B, periodontitis.