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Vaping and oral surgery

BDJ Student (2024)Cite this article

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Vaping involves inhaling a heated aerosol of nicotine alongside flavourings and synthetic chemicals which coats the inside of the lungs, mouth and throat. The estimated prevalence of vaping globally is over 65 million people and is worryingly projected to rise in the coming years.1 Unlike the well-documented research on the negative impacts of smoking on post-op success rates for oral surgery, the literature is less established for vaping, with very few long-term studies available.2 Vaping affects several aspects of oral surgery management including wound healing, alveolar osteitis, and increased anaesthesia onset time.

Vapers have an increased chance of poorer tissue healing and alveolar osteitis. Vapes contain nicotine and work by a similar mechanism to cigarettes, increasing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6).3 Coupled with negative pressures from the suction motion of inhaling vapour, the blood clot may be dislodged, preventing coverage with granulation tissue.4 This results in slower wound healing, meaning alveolar bone may be left exposed for a prolonged period without healing epithelium, known as ‘dry socket' or alveolar osteitis.

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References

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  12. Asmael H M, Jamil F A, Hasan A M. Novel Application of Platelet-Rich Fibrin as a Wound Healing Enhancement in Extraction Sockets of Patients Who Smoke. J Crainiofacial Surg 2018; 29: e794-797.

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  1. University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom

    Anjie Li

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  1. Anjie Li
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Correspondence to Anjie Li.

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Li, A. Vaping and oral surgery. BDJ Student (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-024-1409-4

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