Abstract
<p><strong>Introduction</strong>: Fixed orthodontic treatment causes chronic low grade irritation on the oral mucosa. Tobacco smoking is considered to be a risk factor in the development of oral cancer. This study was designed to do a cytomorphometric analysis on the buccal mucosal cells in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment who are tobacco smokers.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: Exfoliated buccal mucosal cells were obtained from orthodontic patients (smokers &amp; non-smokers) as well as smokers and non-smokers who are not undergoing any orthodontic treatment. Smears were stained with rapid PAP stain and digital images of 50 cells were analysed using the Image J software.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusion</strong>: Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant increase in the values of nuclear and cell diameter between non-smokers undergoing orthodontic treatment and smokers (p&lt;0.001 &amp; p=0.014 respectively), and between non-smokers undergoing orthodontic treatment and smokers undergoing orthodontic treatment (p&lt;0.001 &amp; p=0.015 respectively). Also, nuclear area and cell showed significant differences between many of the study groups. Based on these results, it can be concluded that there are nuclear and cellular alterations in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment who are smokers. <strong></strong></p>
Published Version
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