Comparison of the subgingival temperature of smokers and nonsmokers in healthy and diseased sites of gingiva in association with sublingual body temperature

BACKGROUND: To compare the subgingival temperature in healthy and diseased sites of gingiva in smokers and non-smokers using a modified digital thermometer. To also find whether subgingival temperature measurements can be used as reliable indicator of periodontal disease activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants for this study comprised 50 males, 25 smokers and 25 non-smokers with mild to moderate periodontitis, aged 25-40 years and had four maxillary incisor teeth (12, 11, 21, 22) intact. For each participant, six sites around each tooth were examined. Hence, a total of 24 sites for each participant were examined. The clinical parameters used were probing pocket depth and gingival bleeding index. RESULTS: Sublingual and subgingival temperature was found to be warmer in smokers compared to non-smokers. Subgingival temperature was more in diseased sites than healthy sites in both smokers and non-smokers. The mean temperature differential of diseased sites in smokers was more compared to non-smokers. Mean probing pocket depth was higher in smokers, but bleeding sites were less. CONCLUSION: Subgingival temperature measurement was found to be a good indicator of periodontal disease activity.