Assessment of lingual nerve functions after smoking cessation.
Acta Odontol Scand
; 75(5): 338-344, 2017 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28372503
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Cigarette smoking is associated with a variety of oral diseases. A previous study showed a reduction of thermal sensitivity in the innervation area of the lingual nerve in smokers possibly caused by a degeneration of thermosensitive receptors as a consequence of smoking. The current study investigates somatosensory changes in ex-smokers. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Sensory functions in innervation areas of lingual nerve were investigated in 40 ex-smokers by psychophysical means. Functions of lingual nerve in 40 ex-smokers were compared to those in 40 smokers and 40 non-smokers. Subjects were investigated using quantitative sensory testing (QST, cold and warm detection, thermal sensory limen, heat and cold pain, and mechanical detection).RESULTS:
Significant differences were found in both groups, ex-smokers and smokers compared to non-smokers. Cold (p < .001), warm (ex-smokers p < .01; smokers p < .001) detection thresholds and thermal sensory limen (p < .001) showed significantly lower sensitivity in ex-smokers and smokers in comparison to non-smokers.CONCLUSIONS:
The lower temperature sensitivity of ex-smokers compared to that in non-smokers indicates a reduction of somatosensory function of the tongue, possibly caused by irreversible nerve degeneration associated with smoking. Influencing factors leading to sensory changes could be modulation of thermo-receptors, demyelination as well as a change of the epithelial structure.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sensação Térmica
/
Língua
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Fumar
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Nervo Lingual
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article