Comparison of peri-implant clinical and radiographic status around short (6 mm in length) dental implants placed in cigarette-smokers and never-smokers: Six-year follow-up results

BackgroundIt is hypothesized that peri-implant clinical and radiographic inflammatory parameters (probing depth [PD], bleeding on probing [BOP] and plaque index [PI]; and radiographic (crestal bone loss [CBL]) are worse among cigarette-smokers (CS) compared with never-smokers (NS) with short implants. PurposeThe present 6-year follow-up retrospective study compared the peri-implant clinical and radiographic parameters in CS and NS with short dental implants (6 mm in length). Materials and methodsFifty-six male individuals were included. These individuals divided into 2 groups as follows: (a) Group-1: 29 self-reported systemically healthy CS with 48 short-implants; and (b) Group-2: 27 self-reported systemically healthy NS with 43 short implants. Peri-implant PD, PI, BOP, and CBL were measured. Group comparisons were done using the Kruskal-Wallis test and sample size was estimated. Level of significance was set at P values<.05. ResultsIn groups 1 and 2, the follow-up durations were 6.20.1 years and 6.1 +/- 0.3 years, respectively. A cigarette smoking history of 8.9 +/- 3.6 pack years was reported by individuals in Group-1. At follow-up, scores of peri-implant PD, BOP, PI, and mesial and distal CBL were comparable around short implants in both groups. ConclusionUnder strict oral hygiene maintenance protocols, short dental implants can remain functionally stable in CS in a manner similar to NS.