Is smoking a predictor of apical periodontitis?

Objectives To evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and the frequency of apical periodontitis in female and male patients seeking treatment at the University of Basel (KREBS Project). Materials and methods This cohort study included full-mouth periapical radiographs of 161 subjects, including 66 current smokers, 26 former smokers and 69 individuals who had never smoked. The periapical region of all teeth was radiographically evaluated using the Periapical Index (PAI) score. Generalised linear mixed-effects models using the logit link were performed. Results The frequency of apical periodontitis differed based on gender and smoking status. Current male cigarette smokers with