objective: To compare the incidence of complications related to onlay bone grafts (OBG) and sinus lift operations (SLO) among smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: Data from 143 operations performed during the years 1995 to 2003 were analyzed. There were 64 onlay bone grafts and 79 sinus lift operations. Patients were divided into three groups: non-smokers, mild smokers (up to 10 cigarettes per day) and heavy smokers (more than 10 cigarettes per day). Duration of smoking (less or more than 10 years) was recorded. OBG complications included minor (hematoma, swelling, inflammation or temporary paresthesia) and major complications (graft exposure or mobility). For the SLO, perforations of the Schneiderian membrane were the main intra-operative complication; post-operative complications consisted of mostly swelling, acute or chronic sinus infection and bleeding. Results: Of smokers having OBG, 50% had complications compared to 23.1% for non-smokers. Major complications were observed in one-third of the smokers compared to only 7.7% in non-smokers. There was also a tendency for complications in past smokers, although this relation was not statistically significant. There was no relation between SLO complications and smoking, as well as smoking in the past. Conclusions: This study established a relationship between OBG complications and smoking in this patient population. A higher incidence of complications was found in the smoking group. There was no significant influence of smoking on SLO complications.

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