THE IMPACT OF SMOCKING ON THE SALIVARY LEVELS OF RANKL AND OPG IN PACIENTS WITH GENERALIZED, STAGE III, GRADE B, PERIODONTITIS

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.