Impact of smoking on resin bonded restorations: A narrative review

Smoking is a common risk factor for multiple diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, and different cancers. It is an established cause of multiple oral health conditions, in addition to adversely impairing the appearance of oral tissues. Smoking has also been identified to impact dental restorations' functional and esthetic aspects. This narrative review is focused on the significance of the esthetic consequences of smoking on resin-based dental restoration. It provides an understanding of the challenges dental professionals and patients face.

A literature search was conducted to identify studies on the impact of smoking exposure on the esthetic appearance of composite restorations. The inclusion criteria were met by five studies selected for analysis.

The studies revealed that conventional cigarettes cause more noticeable color changes than electronic cigarettes. Additionally, the choice of composite material significantly influences the color stability of dental restorations. Exposure to both smoking and staining agents could worsen the color alterations in dental restorations. Smokers may benefit from dental ceramics, which offer better aesthetics. Quantitative insights into these effects can be gained by incorporating delta E (ΔE) values and fluorescence intensity in esthetic evaluations.

The studies provide valuable insights into the multiple factors that can impact the aesthetics of dental restorations. Dental professionals should take into account the smoking type, composite material, and patient habits when planning treatments. Utilizing ΔE values and fluorescence intensity in esthetic evaluations can provide a more comprehensive understanding. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, alternative materials, and individual patient profiles.