Background: The aim of the present study was to verify nicotine effects on alveolar bone changes induced by occlusal trauma during a periodontitis experimental model in rats.
Methods: Thirty adult male rats were used. The animals were randomly assigned to one of three groups receiving daily intraperitoneal injections: A, nicotine solution (0.44 mg/ml) and occlusal overload; B, saline solution and occlusal overload; or C, saline solution. Rats from groups A and B underwent bilateral amputation of the second and third molar cusps to simulate an occlusal overload. The first molars were then randomly assigned to receive a cotton ligature in the sulcular area, while the contralateral tooth was left unligated. The animals were sacrificed 30 days later. The resected mandibles were processed, and histomorphometric measurements were performed in the alveolar bone adjacent to the furcation area of the first molars.
Results: Nicotine enhanced the bone loss induced by occlusal trauma (P<0.001) on the ligated teeth of group A (12.27 +/- 4.4 mm2), when compared to groups B (8.43 +/- 3.51 mm2) and C (4.43 +/- 2.17 mm2). Alveolar bone loss (P<0.01) was also observed in the contralateral teeth of groups A (nicotine + trauma) and B (saline + trauma), when compared to group C (saline only).
Conclusion: Within the limits of the study, it is concluded that nicotine may influence the alveolar bone changes induced by occlusal trauma by enhancing bone loss.