Smoking and vascular density of healthy marginal gingiva

The influence of smoking on the vascular characteristics in periodontally healthy individuals was studied over a period of 11 wk. Fourteen healthy female dental students, 7 smokers and 7 nonsmokers, aged 25 to 38 yr, volunteered for the experiment. Photodocumentation was performed on four occasions with the aid of a stereophotographic method. The characteristics of gingival vessels were evaluated according to a semi-quantitative vascular index. It was found that the vascular density was not statistically significantly different in smokers and nonsmokers. Furthermore, the vascular density remained stable in both smokers and nonsmokers. The results suggest that the vascular density of the marginal gingiva is uninfluenced by moderate smoking once healthy gingival conditions prevail.