Repeatability of dental plaque quantitation by light induced fluorescence technology in current, former, and never smokers

Background: The effects of smoking on the accumulation of dental plaque have not been studied in depth. We compared dental plaque quantitation obtained with a novel light induced fluorescence technology among current, former, and never smokers and verified measurements' repeatability.MethodsDental plaque quantitation was objectively assessed by quantitative light induced fluorescence (QLF) technology on three separate study visits in current, former, and never smokers: baseline (day 0), day 7, day 30. Increase in the fluorescence intensity of at least 30% (& UDelta;R30) and 120% (& UDelta;R120) together with the simple oral hygiene (SOH) scoring were considered for analysis.ResultsThe QLF parameters were highly repeatable in each study group (p < 0.0001, by regression analyses). All QLF parameters showed a significant difference between never smokers and current smokers (p = 0.041 for & UDelta;R30; p = 0.027 for & UDelta;R120; p = 0.04 for SOH). No significant differences were observed between never and former smokers and between current and former smokers except for & UDelta;R120 (p = 0.033).ConclusionDental plaque measurements by QLF technology were highly reproducible and showed greater plaque formation among current smokers compared to non-smokers. Objective and reproducible quantitation of dental plaque can be a valuable clinical and regulatory science endpoint to investigate the effect of smoking cessation medications, combustion-free tobacco products, and consumer care products on oral health.Trial RegistrationThe study is a pilot study parts of a larger project with registration ID: NCT04649645. As preliminary study, the pilot study referred into this paper started before the larger study registered in ClinicalTrials.gov.