Clinical Research Directory

Vector® System vs Mini-Five Curettes in Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the Vector®️ ultrasonic system and mini-five curettes in non-surgical periodontal therapy. Patients diagnosed with periodontitis will be randomly assigned to either ultrasonic instrumentation or manual instrumentation. Clinical periodontal parameters and radiographic bone level changes will be evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary objective is to assess differences in clinical attachment level and probing depth reduction between the two treatment modalities.

Comparing Inflammatory Markers in Patients With and Without Depression With Chronic Periodontitis

This study will evaluate whether use of antidepressants can reduce gingival inflammation in patients with periodontal (gum) disease.

Study on Treatment Results and Bone Changes After Replanting Severely Affected Teeth - A Before-and-After Study.

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intentional replantation (IR) as a treatment for single-rooted teeth diagnosed as hopeless due to true periodontic lesions. The study will assess changes in alveolar bone and periodontal tissues, symptom resolution, and patient-reported outcomes (satisfaction and quality of life) following the procedure. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging will be used to track radiographic changes at baseline and 9 months, while clinical examinations will monitor symptom resolution, including pain, swelling, and tooth mobility. The study is a single-arm pre-test, post-test interventional design conducted at the College of Dentistry, University of Science and Technology Fujairah (new name: University of Fujairah). Participants will include adults aged 18-70 with single-rooted teeth deemed hopeless due to periodontic lesions. Participants will undergo intentional replantation, and data will be collected through clinical examinations, radiographic images, and patient questionnaires at baseline and 9 months. Statistical analysis will compare pre- and post-treatment outcomes using paired-samples t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, depending on data normality. The study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of intentional replantation, contributing valuable insights into its clinical effectiveness for managing complex dental conditions.

Metformin Versus Chlorhexidine Gel as Adjuncts to Scaling and Root Planing in Stage II Grade B Periodontitis

This clinical trial is designed to evaluate two locally delivered gels, metformin and chlorhexidine, as adjunctive therapies to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with Stage II, Grade B periodontitis. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that damages the supporting tissues of the teeth. Although SRP is the standard non-surgical treatment, it may not fully eliminate harmful bacteria or prevent disease recurrence. Chlorhexidine is a widely used antimicrobial gel, while metformin, a medication commonly prescribed for diabetes, has shown anti-inflammatory and bone-supportive effects when used locally in the gums. This study will directly compare the effectiveness of 1% metformin gel and 0.2% chlorhexidine gel, both applied subgingivally after SRP, against SRP alone. Sixty adult participants diagnosed with Stage II, Grade B periodontitis will be randomly assigned into three groups: SRP only (control), SRP plus metformin gel, and SRP plus chlorhexidine gel. Clinical outcomes (plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level), inflammatory markers (MMP-8 in gingival crevicular fluid), and radiographic bone density will be measured at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The goal is to determine whether metformin gel or chlorhexidine gel provides superior improvements in periodontal healing when compared with SRP alone. Findings from this trial may guide evidence-based decisions on optimizing non-surgical periodontal therapy.

B Cell Functions in Periodontitis

The inflammatory response involves many players from the immune response, including B lymphocytes. These cells are responsible for the synthesis of immunoglobulins in response to the presence of an antigen. They are characteristic of chronic inflammation. There are several subsets of B cells characterized by specific membrane markers. Once activated, these cells express many factors contributing to tissue destruction seen in periodontitis and particularly in osteoclastogenesis (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-3). During the establishment of a periodontal disease, an important inflammatory infiltrate is observed in the gum. This infiltrate is characterized by the presence of many B lymphocytes. B cell subsets in the blood and the gum of patients with periodontitis have been little studied. However, the number of autoreactive B cells (cluster of differentiation (CD)19+, CD5+) has been reported to be higher in the blood of patients with periodontal disease. In the gum, the rate of B and T cells increases with the level of inflammation and is correlated with the severity of the inflammatory process. Activation of B cells is a prerequisite for the progression of gingivitis to periodontitis. B cell distribution could then be an indicator of disease progression, but also allow to study the response to treatment. The aim of this pilot study is to characterize B cell subsets in the blood and the gum of patients with periodontitis, according to disease activity. Analysis of B cells in the blood could highlight the association of a particular subpopulation with aggressive periodontal disease and evidence a particular biological profile of the host response. The investigators also wish to observe the evolution of this phenotype following an unconventional surgical therapy. This study would better understand the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and refine the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of periodontitis, and thus participate in the development of personalized medicine. Biological monitoring of therapeutic effects may be initiated and allow more effectively prevent recurrence.

Minimally-invasive Non-surgical Therapy of Intrabony Defects

This investigation aims to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of intrabony defects treated with minimally-invasive non-surgical therapy.

Utilization of a Videoscope in Periodontal Regeneration

Clinical and preclinical studies confirm that regeneration of supporting tissues of teeth lost due to periodontal disease can be achieved using the principles of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Although this therapeutic approach is well established in clinical settings and can rescue teeth with poor or questionable prognosis, MIS approaches often suffer from lack of predictability due to poor intraoral visibility of the bony lesion and inability to confirm thorough removal of etiological factors (plaque/calculus) on tooth surfaces. We seek to investigate whether improved visualization of the surgical field using an FDA approved videoscope (V) improves clinical outcomes. For this pilot study, N=50 (to attain 10/group) age, sex matched, systemically healthy subjects diagnosed with Stage III, Grade B periodontitis, formerly known as severe chronic periodontitis, will be randomly assigned to either the VMIS (Test), MIS (Control 1) or Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR, Control 2) group. All periodontal therapy will be performed following the Standard of Care for periodontal regeneration to determine if utilization of the videoscope improves clinical and radiographic outcomes. We will examine bone fill using conventional digital periapical radiographs (PAR) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline and collect gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to compare expression of growth factors and cytokines/chemokines during the healing period. This is a single center treatment study where subjects will be recruited from individuals seeking periodontal treatment at the Graduate Periodontics Clinic, UIC College of Dentistry (COD). Participation of all subjects will end after 12 months and will comprise 7 total visits.

The Link Between Periodontitis, Smoking and Oral Cancer

Periodontitis is a widely prevalent disease worldwide that has serious public health consequences. Its prognosis includes tooth loss and edentulism, a condition that negatively affects chewing causing functional disability; and esthetics causing social impairment. Consequently, periodontitis may end up causing marked impairment of the quality of life of the affected patients, impairment of general health and increasing the dental care costs significantly. Changes in the oral mucosa arise by primary products resulting from tissue breakdown due to gingivitis. It then triggers the host cells to produce proteinases that mediate loss of marginal periodontal ligaments, apical migration of the junctional epithelium and apical spread of bacterial biofilm. Therefore, this research aims to identify the risk of smoking to both periodontitis and oral cancer, and the risk of periodontitis to oral cancer.