ETIOPATHOGENETIC ASPECTS OF CHRONIC GENERALIZED PERIODONTITIS IN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE USERS

Аннотация

In recent years, electronic cigarettes (ECs) have gained widespread popularity as an alternative to traditional tobacco products. Although often perceived as relatively safe, contemporary studies indicate the adverse effects of EC aerosols on oral health, including the risk of developing chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP). While the association between conventional smoking and periodontal diseases is well established, the impact of electronic cigarettes on the pathogenesis of CGP remains insufficiently explored. This article presents a review of current scientific evidence regarding the influence of electronic cigarettes on periodontal tissues. The mechanisms of inflammation, alterations in the oral microbiota, vascular and immune dysfunctions induced by EC aerosol components are discussed. It has been shown that EC use is associated with the activation of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), dysbiotic changes in the microbiome, and impaired immune responses, promoting the progression of inflammatory-destructive processes in the periodontium. Despite a lower degree of tissue damage compared to conventional smoking, the risk of periodontitis in EC users remains clinically significant. These findings emphasize the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and the necessity for extensive clinical studies among this patient group.