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. 2024 Aug:147:105223.
doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105223. Epub 2024 Jul 9.

Dental plaque quantitation by light induced fluorescence technology in exclusive Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) users

Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa  1 , Andrea Di Stefano  2 , Deborah Gangi  2 , Rosalia Emma  3 , Valeriu Fala  4 , Amaliya Amaliya  5 , Hasan Guney Yilmaz  6 , Roberto Lo Giudice  7 , Sebastiano Antonio Pacino  8 , Eugenio Pedullà  9 , Renata Górska  10 , Jan Kowalski  10 , Riccardo Polosa  3
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Free article

Dental plaque quantitation by light induced fluorescence technology in exclusive Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) users

Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa et al. J Dent. 2024 Aug.
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: In comparison to conventional combustible cigarettes, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) including both e-cigarettes (ECs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) significantly reduce exposure to toxic chemical emissions. However, their impact on dental plaque remains unclear. This study measures dental plaque in ENDS (ECs and HTPs) users using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology, comparing them with current, former, and never smokers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study compared dental plaque measurements using QLF technology (Q-ray cam™ Pro) among current smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day), former smokers (quit ≥6 months), never smokers, and exclusive ENDS users (quit ≥6 months). Dental plaque measurements were expressed as ΔR30 (total area of mature dental plaque) and ΔR120 (greater plaque thickness/maturation-calculus). The Simple Oral Hygiene (SOH) score was calculated by the QLF proprietary software. Statistical analyses including ANCOVA was performed by R version (4.2.3) with p < 0.05.

Results: A total 30 smokers, 24 former smokers, 29 never smokers, and 53 ENDS users were included. Current smokers had significantly higher ΔR30 and ΔR120 values compared to other groups (p < 0.001). ENDS users showed plaque levels similar to never and former smokers (p > 0.05) but significantly lower than current smokers (p < 0.01). Although ENDS users showed a lower SOH score than smokers, this difference was not statistically significant. Daily toothbrushing and mouthwash usage were significant covariates.

Conclusion: ENDS users exhibited reduced accumulation of dental plaque and calculus compared with current smokers.

Clinical significance: Exclusive ENDS use could less impact dental plaque accumulation compared to cigarette smoking. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and fully understand ENDS impact on dental plaque formation.

Keywords: Dental plaque; E-cigarettes; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Heated tobacco products; Quantitative light-induced fluorescence; Smoking.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest GRMLR is a research fellow at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of the University of Catania. She declares no conflict of interest. ADS, DG, RE, VF, AA, HGY, RLG, SAP, EP, RG, JK declare no conflict of interest. RP is full tenured professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Catania (Italy) and Medical Director of the Institute for Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology at the same University. He has received grants from U-BIOPRED and AIR-PROM, Integral Rheumatology & Immunology Specialists Network (IRIS), Foundation for a Smoke Free World, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, CV Therapeu- tics, NeuroSearch A/S, Sandoz, Merk Sharp & Dohme, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Arbi Group Srl., Duska Therapeutics, Forest Laboratories and Ministero dell Universita’ e della Ricerca (MUR) Bando PNRR 3277/2021 (CUP E63C22000900006) and 341/2022 (CUP E63C22002080006), funded by NextGenerationEU, the European Union (EU) economic recovery package. He is founder of the Center for Tobacco Prevention and Treatment (CPCT) at the University of Catania and of the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction at the same university. He receives consultancy fees from Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Duska Therapeutics, Forest Laboratories, CV Therapeutics, and Sermo Inc. He is being paid textbook royalties from Elsevier. He is also involved in a patent application for ECLAT Srl. He is a pro bono scientific advisor for Lega Italiana Anti Fumo (LIAF) and the International Network of Nicotine Consumers Organizations (INNCO); and he is Chair of the European Technical Committee for Standardization on “Requirements and test methods for emissions of electronic cigarettes” (CEN/TC 437; WG4).

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