Snuff‐induced lesions in Finnish recruits

Abstract

– Snuff‐induced lesions from 21 snuff users were studied clinically, histologically and by electron microscopy. Clinically most lesions appeared coarsely wrinkled, grayish white and slightly elevated. All lesions were found in the upper vestibular area. Histologically, epithelial thickening, acanthosis, vacuolation of surface cells and a slight subepithelial inflammatory reaction were seen. The electron microscopic findings revealed an intact basement lamina, increased tonofilament concentration moving up towards the surface of the epithelium, widening of intercellular spaces in the spinous cell layer and partial keratinization of surface cells. The salivary flow of resting saliva showed a slightly significant increase compared to controls. That of stimulated saliva was not significantly increased among snuff users.

Proliferation and differentation markers in snuff‐induced oral mucosal lesions

“…The histology of the biopsy specimens from snuff‐induced lesions in the present study was characterized by ortho‐ or parakeratinized epithelia with epithelial thickening, which is in agreement with the findings of several previous studies (2, 8, 14). This epithelial thickening has been thought to be a consequence of hyperproliferation.…”

“…However, the most recent epidemiologic studies from Scandinavia on snuff‐related carcinogenesis do not support these findings (10,11). Importantly, histopathologic studies on snuff‐associated oral lesions have infrequently found dysplastic changes (12–15).…”

Periodontal Effects Associated With the Use of Smokeless Tobacco

“…lesions that were adjacent to the maxillary and mandibular teeth of 196 smokeless tobacco users. Numbers in boxes represent the maxillary (8,9) and mandibular (24,25) incisors, maxillary (5,12) and mandibular (21,28) premolars, and maxillary (3,14) and mandibular (19,30) molars. The percentage of all lesions represented by each pattern is given to the right of the figure.…”

“…The entire dentition was examined to determine those teeth that were missing, showed attrition, and had caries or other abnormalities. The remaining measurements were made on a subset of 12 teeth: maxillary and mandibular first molars (3,14,19,30), maxillary and mandibular first premolars (5,12,21,28), and maxillary and mandibular central incisors (8,9,24,25). When a subset tooth was missing, the next distal tooth was used.…”

Oral Mucosal Lesions in Smokeless Tobacco Users

“…Salivary gland damage was not as common in the Ameri can study by Greer et al,' and in a Finnish study of snuff-induced lesions in recruits, decreased production of saliva could not be demonstrated. 8 Whether the use of smokeless tobacco results in an increased risk for, or predis poses to, the development of oral cancer is a question that has received much attention in the literature.…”