Dental Pain

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 evaluating the effects of two types of free gingival graft surgeries—conventional free gingival graft (FGG) and modified free gingival graft (ModFGG)—on soft tissue thickness, volume, and creeping attachment in the lower front teeth. This trial involves 34 healthy, non-smoking adults with localized Cairo Class II gingival recession. The goal is to understand how the modified technique may improve soft tissue stability and volume compared to the conventional method, using advanced three-dimensional digital analysis. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the conventional FGG procedure or the modified ModFGG procedure. The ModFGG involves creating a connective tissue flap from the recession area to cover the exposed root before placing a graft from the palate, aiming to enhance blood supply and healing. The conventional FGG involves placing a graft from the palate directly onto the prepared site without this flap. Both procedures will be followed by digital and clinical assessments at baseline, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. During the study, participants will undergo clinical measurements including gingival recession depth, keratinized tissue width, and probing depth, alongside three-dimensional digital scans with an intraoral scanner to evaluate soft tissue thickness and volume changes. These evaluations at multiple time points will help assess tissue stability and healing progress. The study will last at least six months post-surgery, providing detailed information on soft tissue outcomes and healing after these grafting procedures.

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of an antimicrobial mouthrinse in reducing established dental plaque and improving gum health in adults with gingivitis and dental plaque accumulation. The study focuses on measuring improvements in gum health using the Gingival Index and plaque reduction using the Plaque Index over a six-month period. Participants include adults aged 18 to 70 years who have at least 20 natural teeth and meet specific oral health criteria. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: the test group using a mouthrinse containing 0.0553% sodium fluoride, amine, and 0.2% zinc lactate dihydrate, or the control group using a mouthrinse with 0.0553% sodium fluoride only. Both groups will brush their teeth twice daily with provided toothpaste and toothbrush, then rinse with 15 ml of the assigned mouthrinse for 30 seconds. This routine continues for six months. Throughout the study, participants visit the clinic every three months after the baseline visit for reassessment. Researchers monitor gum health improvements and plaque levels using standardized indices. The study also includes safety monitoring and requires participants to maintain good general health and adhere to the treatment regimen. The total duration of participation is six months, with regular assessments to evaluate treatment effects.

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 non-surgical treatment options for patients with stage III or IV periodontitis who have specific Class II buccal and/or lingual furcation defects in their mandibular and maxillary molars. This prospective, randomized, single-blinded clinical trial uses a split-mouth design to compare treatments and is conducted at Riga Stradins University Institute of Stomatology in Latvia. Patients receive detailed oral hygiene instructions before treatment begins to ensure proper care. The study compares two treatments: the test side receives an oscillating chitosan brush combined with enamel matrix derivatives, while the control side receives the oscillating chitosan brush alone. Treatment is applied to furcation defects at baseline. The trial includes a 12-week re-evaluation period after baseline treatment. Biofilm and gingival crevicular fluid samples are collected at baseline and again at 4 weeks to monitor biological changes. Participants undergo clinical assessments including bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and furcation involvement measurements at baseline and 12 weeks. Proteomic and microbiological analyses of gingival fluid and plaque samples are performed at baseline and 4 weeks. Patient comfort is measured using a visual analog scale at baseline. The trial involves follow-up visits to monitor periodontal status and treatment effects over 12 weeks.

Researchers are evaluating the analgesic effect and safety of a mixed reality (MR) based cognitive distraction focus relaxation therapy for patients diagnosed with chronic moderate to severe pain. This multicenter, prospective, single-blind, randomized, and parallel controlled trial aims to assess the impact of a digital chronic pain treatment system using MR technology as part of basic clinical care for chronic pain patients. Participants are assigned to one of two groups: the pain key group receiving mixed reality pain treatment software with MR-based pain scenarios, or a control group exposed to the same content displayed on a 2D TV screen. The study compares these approaches to understand the role of MR technology in managing chronic pain. During the study, participants will be monitored using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure pain levels over three days. Researchers will collect data on pain intensity and safety outcomes while participants follow the treatment protocols. The trial runs from October 2023 to June 2025, involving adults aged 18 to 85 years with chronic pain lasting more than three months.

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.

Researchers are investigating treatments for temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which are increasingly common and affect jaw function and cause pain. This study aims to evaluate whether combining manual therapy with vagus nerve stimulation, a nerve linked to pain and jaw function, offers better relief and improved quality of life than manual therapy alone. The study involves 20 participants diagnosed with myogenic TMD, focusing on pain, jaw movement, and distress. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving manual therapy combined with vagus nerve stimulation and the other receiving only manual therapy. Both groups undergo four physiotherapy sessions, one per week over a month, and are trained to continue treatment exercises at home over two months. The manual therapy includes joint manipulation and soft tissue techniques for the jaw. Throughout the study, an independent evaluator will assess participants monthly using questionnaires to measure chronic pain, jaw function, physical symptoms, range of motion, and distress. The main outcomes are changes in health status and chronic pain after two months. This double-blind, randomized study ensures unbiased results by keeping evaluators unaware of group assignments. Participant involvement spans two months of treatment and assessments.