Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of Ceramic Dental Crown Clinical Performance After Conventional Hydrofluoric Acid Etching or Gaseous Plasma Pretreatment

In this randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial, we will follow adult participants who receive partial or full dental crowns made of lithium disilicate ceramic (LDC). Before the crowns are permanently attached to teeth, those in the control group will be etched with hydrofluoric acid (HF) according to the standard laboratory protocol, while those in the intervention group will undergo an innovative surface treatment with atmospheric-pressure nonthermal plasma (APP). The goal of this study is to determine whether the innovative APP pretreatment of LDC crowns can result in outcomes comparable to or better than those achieved with the standard HF treatment, including: * oral health-related quality of life as reported by the participants; and * the clinical success and survival of LDC crowns. Participants will be asked to attend scheduled follow-up visits 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the crowns are cemented. At each visit: * a researcher will examine the crowns and surrounding teeth and tissues for any biological or technical complications; and * participants will complete a questionnaire to assess their oral health-related quality of life.

A Split-Mouth Clinical Trial Evaluating the Bond Failure Rate of a New Etch-Free Orthodontic Adhesive

This randomized, split-mouth clinical trial will evaluate a new orthodontic adhesive that eliminates the need for acid etching before bracket bonding. Conventional orthodontic bonding requires etching enamel with phosphoric acid, which can weaken the outer enamel layer and increase the risk of white spot lesions and enamel damage. The etch-free adhesive under investigation is designed to simplify the bonding procedure while preserving enamel integrity. Twenty orthodontic patients starting treatment with braces will participate. For each patient, one side of the mouth (left or right) will be randomly assigned to receive the etch-free adhesive, while the opposite side will receive the conventional adhesive with acid etching. This intra-patient design allows a direct comparison under identical oral conditions. Participants will be followed for 12 months. Bracket failures, bonding time, ease of adhesive removal, enamel surface condition after debonding, and the presence of white spot lesions will be recorded. If effective, the etch-free adhesive may reduce enamel damage without compromising bond strength, providing a safer and more efficient bonding option for orthodontic patients.