Effects of Switching from Conventional Cigarettes to Combustion-Free Nicotine Delivery Systems (C-FNDS) on Salivary TNF-alpha Levels and Gingival Conditions: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

  • Hanna Adianita
  • Indra Mustika Setia Pribadi
  • Amaliya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47353/ajmpm.v2i2.28

Keywords:

combustion-free nicotine delivery system; gingiva; Modified Gingival Index; periodontitis; TNF-alpha.

Abstract

Background: Tobacco smoking is an independent risk factor for periodontitis. Smokers may show impaired inflammatory responses, altered gingival vascular function, and increased salivary tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). This study evaluated changes in salivary TNF-alpha levels and gingival conditions among smokers who switched from combustible tobacco cigarettes to combustion-free nicotine delivery systems (C-FNDS). Methods: This single-blind, open-label randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up was conducted at the Department of Periodontics, Dental and Oral Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia. Forty smokers were randomized into a C-FNDS switching group and a control group that continued combustible tobacco use. Gingival inflammation was assessed using the Modified Gingival Index (MGI), saliva samples were collected to measure TNF-alpha at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) was assessed as a secondary outcome. Results: A total of 40 participants were analyzed. Switching to C-FNDS was associated with a reduction in salivary TNF-alpha levels over 6 months and lower MGI scores compared with continued combustible tobacco smoking. Exhaled CO decreased in the switching group, supporting reduced exposure to combustible tobacco products. Conclusion: Switching from conventional cigarettes to C-FNDS for 6 months was associated with reduced salivary TNF-alpha levels, lower gingival inflammation, and lower exhaled CO levels compared with continued combustible cigarette use.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Hanna Adianita

Post-Graduate Student of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia

Indra Mustika Setia Pribadi

Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia

Amaliya

Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia

References

1. Sedghi LM, Bacino M, Kapila YL. Periodontal disease: the good, the bad, and the unknown. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:766944.

2. Bergstrom J. Tobacco smoking and risk for periodontal disease. J Clin Periodontol. 2003;30(2):107-13.

3. Goncalves RB, Coletta RD, Silverio KG, Benevides L, Casati MZ, Da Silva JS, et al. Impact of smoking on inflammation: overview of molecular mechanisms. Inflamm Res. 2011;60:409-24.

4. Suzuki N, Nakanishi K, Yoneda M, Hirofuji T, Hanioka T. Relationship between salivary stress biomarker levels and cigarette smoking in healthy young adults: an exploratory analysis. Tob Induc Dis. 2016;14:1-7.

5. Dosseva-Panova V, Pashova-Tasseva Z, Mlachkova A. Relationship between smoking and periodontal clinical findings and gene expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in severe periodontitis. Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip. 2022;36(1):662-7.

6. Moore D, Aveyard P, Connock M, Wang D, Fry-Smith A, Barton P. Effectiveness and safety of nicotine replacement therapy assisted reduction to stop smoking: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2009;338:b1024.

7. Jones G, McIntosh E, Brose LS, Klonizakis M. Participant experiences of a quit smoking attempt through either nicotine replacement therapy methods or the use of an e-cigarette. J Addict Med. 2022;16(3):272-7.

8. Tattan-Birch H, Kock L, Brown J, Beard E, Bauld L, West R, et al. E-cigarettes to augment stop smoking in-person support and treatment with varenicline (E-ASSIST): a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Nicotine Tob Res. 2023;25(3):395-403.

9. Masiero M, Lucchiari C, Mazzocco K, Veronesi G, Maisonneuve P, Jemos C, et al. E-cigarettes may support smokers with high smoking-related risk awareness to stop smoking in the short run: preliminary results by randomized controlled trial. Nicotine Tob Res. 2019;21(1):119-26.

10. Tatullo M, Gentile S, Paduano F, Santacroce L, Marrelli M. Crosstalk between oral and general health status in e-smokers. Medicine. 2016;95(49):e5589.

11. Zhang Q, Wen C. The risk profile of electronic nicotine delivery systems, compared to traditional cigarettes, on oral disease: a review. Front Public Health. 2023;11.

12. Caggiano M, Gasparro R, D Ambrosio F, Pisano M, Di Palo MP, Contaldo M. Smoking cessation on periodontal and peri-implant health status: a systematic review. Dent J. 2022;10.

13. Franco T, Trapasso S, Puzzo L, Allegra E. Electronic cigarette: role in the primary prevention of oral cavity cancer. Clin Med Insights Ear Nose Throat. 2016;9:15-20.

14. Pribadi IM, Sulastri A, Djustiana N, Mugawwi AS, Amaliya A. Changing in the number of oral micronuclei cells in smokers after switching to combustion-free nicotine delivery systems: a randomized-controlled trial. J Int Dent Med Res. 2025;18(1):190-6.

15. Samanta S, Dey P. Micronucleus and its applications. Diagn Cytopathol. 2012;40(1):84-90.

16. Churg A, Dai J, Tai H, Xie C, Wright JL. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is central to acute cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and connective tissue breakdown. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;166(6):849-54.

17. Baharin B, Palmer RM, Coward P, Wilson RF. Investigation of periodontal destruction patterns in smokers and non-smokers. J Clin Periodontol. 2006;33(7):485-90.

18. Wawryk-Gawda E, Zarobkiewicz MK, Wolanin-Stachyra M, Opoka-Winiarska V. Inflammatory markers activation associated with vapor or smoke exposure in Wistar rats. Front Immunol. 2025;16:1525166.

19. Sinha I, Goel R, Bitzer ZT, Trushin N, Liao J, Sinha R. Evaluating electronic cigarette cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses in vitro. Tob Induc Dis. 2022;20:45.

20. Sinha DK, Kumar A, Khan M, Kumari R, Kesari M. Evaluation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-18 levels among subjects vaping e-cigarettes and nonsmokers. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020;9(2):1072-5.

21. Lobene RR, Mankodi SM, Ciancio SG, Lamm RA, Charles CH, Ross NM. Correlations among gingival indices: a methodology study. J Periodontol. 1989;60(3):159-62.

22. Sandberg A, Skold CM, Grunewald J, Eklund A, Wheelock AM. Assessing recent smoking status by measuring exhaled carbon monoxide levels. PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e28864.

23. Deveci SE, Deveci F, Acik Y, Ozan AT. The measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide in healthy smokers and non-smokers. Respir Med. 2004;98(6):551-6.

24. Stookey GK, Katz BP, Olson BL, Drook CA, Cohen SJ. Evaluation of biochemical validation measures in determination of smoking status. J Dent Res. 1987;66(10):1597-601.

Downloads

Published

2025-07-31

How to Cite

Adianita, H., Pribadi, I., & Amaliya. (2025). Effects of Switching from Conventional Cigarettes to Combustion-Free Nicotine Delivery Systems (C-FNDS) on Salivary TNF-alpha Levels and Gingival Conditions: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The ASEAN Journal of Military and Preventive Medicine, 2(2), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.47353/ajmpm.v2i2.28

Issue

Section

Articles