Dental Caries (Cavities)

Researchers are studying changes in the shape of the palate in growing children with different vertical facial growth patterns who have a posterior cross-bite. The study focuses on patients with mixed dentition, skeletal Class I relationship, and who are in the prepubertal stage. The goal is to understand how rapid palatal expander treatment affects the palate morphology among hyperdivergent, hypodivergent, and normodivergent facial types. The treatment involves using a rapid palatal expander device for about 6 months. Patients will be grouped based on their facial divergence patterns. Digital dental casts will be recorded before and after the treatment using an intraoral scanner. Researchers will perform linear measurements and a comprehensive study of the palate shape using a set of 240 landmarks and semi-landmarks. Geometric Morphometric Analysis (GMA) will compare the palate shape changes among the different groups. Participants will undergo clinical evaluations and have pre-treatment and post-treatment digital records including oral scans and photographs. The primary outcome is to measure morphological changes of the palate after 6 months. Secondary outcomes include detailed shape analysis of the palatal vault among the different facial types. The study requires good quality records and informed consent from participants, with total participation lasting around 6 months.

Researchers are studying the outcomes of two different revascularization treatments for children aged 7 to 13 with necrotic immature permanent maxillary incisors that show no symptoms. The trial aims to compare the clinical and radiographic results over 24 months following either a single-visit or multiple-visit protocol. This trial is a randomized clinical study led by Minia University to determine how these approaches affect healing and tooth health. Participants will receive either a single-visit revascularization procedure or a multiple-visit revascularization procedure. Each treatment protocol is designed to restore the affected tooth without surgery by encouraging natural healing. The study will observe and compare these two methods over a 24-month period to evaluate their effectiveness and outcomes. During the study, participants will be monitored for any pain experienced after treatment, with assessments continuing from enrollment through the full 24 months. Clinical and radiographic examinations will be carried out to evaluate healing progress and tooth condition. The trial includes regular follow-ups to track changes and ensure patient safety throughout the study duration.

Researchers are evaluating an experimental toothpaste containing 0.454% stannous fluoride (SnF2) to see if it can improve gum health and reduce plaque better than a regular fluoride toothpaste in adults with mild to moderate gingivitis. This 24-week, randomized, controlled, examiner-blind study includes about 300 participants divided into three groups to compare the experimental toothpaste with a marketed SnF2 toothpaste and a regular fluoride toothpaste. Participants will brush their teeth twice daily for at least one minute using either the experimental dentifrice, a marketed dentifrice with SnF2, or a regular fluoride dentifrice. Each treatment lasts for 24 weeks, with the goal of assessing differences in gingival health and plaque accumulation across the three groups. During the study, participants will be regularly evaluated for gingival bleeding and plaque levels at weeks 1, 4, 12, and 24 using standardized indices. Researchers will monitor gum health and plaque reduction to measure the toothpaste effectiveness. The primary outcome is the number of bleeding sites at week 24, and safety and adherence will be observed throughout the trial.

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) causes sharp, short pain from exposed dentin triggered by chemicals, temperature, or touch. It commonly affects older adults and varies widely in prevalence. This research evaluates the effectiveness of Casein phosphopeptide paste (CPP-ACP) alone or combined with a diode laser called Lasotronix in treating DH, as limited studies have explored this combination. The study involves four groups: one receiving CPP-ACP paste application only, one receiving diode laser therapy only, a third receiving both CPP-ACP and laser treatments, and a control group with no treatment. Lasotronix uses a 635nm wavelength laser designed for safe and effective bio-stimulation and photo-disinfection, while CPP-ACP paste aims to reduce pain by managing dentin sensitivity. Participants aged 25 to 65 with at least one sensitive, vital tooth without decay or defective restoration will be involved. They will undergo treatment and follow-up to assess dentin hypersensitivity over three months. Researchers will monitor pain levels and treatment effects, ensuring safety and adherence to the study protocol throughout the trial period.

This research aims to evaluate the clinical performance and safety of two different curing modes for composite resin restorations in primary molars of young children. The study focuses on children aged 4 to 9 years who need direct filling therapy on deciduous teeth. Dental treatment in young children is challenging due to anxiety and difficulty in moisture control, so reducing treatment time could benefit both children and dentists. Participants will receive composite restorations cured using either a fast curing mode, which takes 5 seconds at 2000 mW/cm², or a conventional curing mode, which takes 10 seconds at 1200 mW/cm². This is a randomized, double-blind, split-mouth clinical trial lasting 12 months. Each child will have two different molars treated with each curing mode in separate quadrants. During the study, children will be monitored for postoperative pain 4 to 10 days after treatment. The trial involves legal representative consent, assessments of treatment performance and safety, and evaluations of any complications or discomfort. The total participation time covers the full 12-month follow-up period to assess the long-term outcomes of the dental restorations.

Gingival recessions are a common issue affecting many adults worldwide and can lead to problems such as tooth sensitivity, root caries, and aesthetic concerns. This trial aims to compare a new volume stable collagen matrix to the standard connective tissue graft from the palate in treating gingival recessions, particularly in orthodontically treated patients. The study seeks to improve understanding of the best treatment methods for both upper and lower jaw recessions to enhance periodontal health and patient outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The test group will receive tissue thickening using the collagen matrix combined with a modified coronally advanced tunnel technique. The control group will undergo the standard treatment involving a connective tissue graft harvested from the palate with the same surgical technique. Both procedures aim to cover the gingival recession defect effectively. During the study, researchers will assess root coverage, early wound healing, tissue thickness increase, clinical attachment level, aesthetic scores, and patient satisfaction over a one-year period. Follow-up evaluations will include wound healing checks within the first week after surgery and assessments of periodontal tissue changes and patient-reported outcomes at one year. Participation includes regular visits and clinical measurements to monitor treatment effects and safety.

This research aims to evaluate the effects of a commercially available oil rinse product called PerioPull™ on dental health markers in adults. The study focuses on people with dental health issues, such as deeper-than-normal gum pockets that may harbor infection and cause inflammation leading to periodontal disease. The trial is a 12-week pilot study designed to assess whether PerioPull™ can improve common, validated dental health measures used in clinical practice. Participants will use PerioPull™, a natural oil rinse containing ingredients like Medium Chain Triglycerides from coconut oil, Bixa orellana seed extract, natural mint flavor, bromelain, ubiquinone, and delta tocotrienols. They will swish approximately one teaspoon (5 mL) of the oil in their mouth for at least five minutes daily after brushing, then spit it out without rinsing. This routine will be maintained daily for 12 weeks. Throughout the study, participants will attend three dental visits at baseline, six weeks, and 12 weeks. During these visits, dental health will be assessed using measurements such as plaque index, gingival index, and pocket depth. Oral samples will be collected and analyzed in a laboratory to further evaluate outcomes. Additional assessments include intraoral photos and MyPerioPath® testing. These procedures align with standard dental exams and will help researchers monitor changes in dental health over the study period.

Researchers are investigating the effects of vitamin D supplementation and topical fluoride treatments on people aged 12 to 45 who have vitamin D deficiency and early dental cavities called Initial Carious Lesions (ICL). This trial aims to compare how these treatments influence the progression of ICL by measuring changes in the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scores, concentrations of proteins in saliva, and the presence of cavity-causing bacteria over six months. The study is conducted as a randomized controlled trial at multiple outpatient centers. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group A receives vitamin D supplements and oral hygiene instructions; Group B receives vitamin D supplements, topical fluoride application, and oral hygiene instructions; and Group C, the control group with sufficient vitamin D levels, receives topical fluoride and oral hygiene instructions. Vitamin D supplements include weekly 50,000 IU doses for two months followed by daily maintenance doses of 5,000 IU for one month. Fluoride treatments involve professional application of 5% sodium fluoride gel for five minutes on affected teeth. During the six-month study, participants will have their dental health monitored through assessments of their ICDAS scores, saliva samples analyzed for protein levels using ELISA, and bacterial counts measured by PCR techniques. Researchers will also check serum vitamin D levels. Oral hygiene and diet counseling are provided. The study evaluates the progression of initial cavities, changes in saliva biomarkers, and oral bacteria to understand how these interventions impact dental caries management.

Researchers are investigating a new orthodontic adhesive that does not require acid etching before bonding brackets. This study involves 20 patients aged 14 to 35 years undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. The goal is to compare the new etch-free adhesive with the conventional acid-etch adhesive to see if it can reduce enamel damage and white spot lesions while maintaining bond strength. The trial uses a split-mouth design where one side of each patient's mouth receives the etch-free adhesive and the other side the conventional adhesive with phosphoric acid etching. Bonding times will be measured, and brackets will be placed following manufacturer instructions. Patients will be followed for 12 months to assess bracket failures, enamel condition, adhesive remnants, and white spot lesion formation. Participants will attend monthly visits during the 12-month follow-up to record bracket failures and enamel condition through clinical and photographic assessments. Bonding time, adhesive removal ease, and patient discomfort will also be recorded. Data will be securely stored and analyzed to evaluate the performance and safety of the new adhesive compared to the standard method.

Researchers are evaluating LY4515100 to assess its safety and how well it works compared with a placebo for treating moderate-to-severe acute pain after surgical removal of impacted third molars. This phase 2, randomized, double-blind study focuses on pain relief following this common oral surgery. The trial involves participants aged 18 to 40 years who require extraction of multiple third molars with certain impactions confirmed by X-ray. Participants will receive a single oral dose of either LY4515100 or a placebo. After surgery, each participant will stay in a Clinical Research Unit for monitoring. The study includes measures of pain intensity, pain relief, time to use of rescue medication, and the drug's concentration in the body, all tracked up to one day after dosing. During the approximately six-week study, participants will undergo assessments of their pain levels and relief using numerical and categorical scales. Researchers will also monitor safety through clinical evaluations and laboratory tests. The trial collects data on how quickly pain decreases and participants’ overall impression of pain relief, aiming to understand the drug's effects and safety profile in this setting.