Clinical Research Directory

Cleaning Methods for Clear Aligners

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn which cleaning method best removes bacteria from clear plastic aligners. Clear aligners are removable orthodontic trays worn to straighten teeth. They sit against the teeth for 20 to 22 hours a day. Bacteria build up on their surfaces within days. No agreed-upon way to clean them exists.The main questions it aims to answer are: Which of four common cleaning methods removes the most live bacteria from worn aligners? Which method leaves the least bacteria visible on the aligner surface under a microscope? Researchers will compare four cleaning methods to see which works best: Brushing with water (control) Soaking in chlorhexidine mouthwash Soaking in an effervescent cleaning tablet Using an ultrasonic cleaner together with a cleaning tablet Participants will: Wear one upper and one lower clear aligner for 10 days Clean the upper aligner twice a day for 5 minutes using their assigned method Return the aligner at the end of 10 days for laboratory testing

Plaque Removal Efficiency in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of toothbrushing education on plaque removal in children aged 7-12 years with specific learning disabilities (SLD) and to compare their plaque removal performance with healthy children. Participants will receive standardized toothbrushing education supported by visual and auditory materials. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and photograph-based quantitative plaque analyses will be evaluated at baseline and after a 2-week follow-up period.

Clinical Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Varnish in Reducing Gingival Hyperplasia, Plaque Accumulation, and White Spot Lesions in Orthodontic Patients

This study investigates whether applying a chlorohexidine varnish (a dental coating) reduces gum overgrowth, plaque buildup, and early tooth decay (white spots) in patients with braces. Each participant's mouth is divided into two sides: one receives the active varnish, and the other receives a placebo. Changes in gum health, plaque, and white spots are tracked over 3 months.

Comparative Clinical Assessment of Charcoal and Conventional Toothbrushes

Oral hygiene practices are fundamental to maintaining oral health, preventing dental plaque accumulation, halitosis, stains, gingival and periodontal diseases, and improving overall quality of life. Dental plaque plays a central role in the initiation of caries and periodontal disease by lowering enamel surface pH and promoting hydroxyapatite dissolution. Toothbrushing with toothpaste remains the most widely accepted and effective method for mechanical plaque control, with its efficacy influenced by toothbrush design, brushing technique, and duration. Recently, charcoal-infused toothbrushes have been introduced as an alternative oral hygiene aid. These brushes incorporate binchotan charcoal into nylon bristles, purportedly offering antimicrobial, deodorizing, and stain-removal properties by increasing oral pH, reducing bacterial load, and absorbing stain causing compounds. Despite growing commercial interest, scientific evidence supporting their clinical efficacy remains limited. Therefore, this randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of charcoal-infused toothbrushes versus conventional toothbrushes in plaque reduction and stain removal among Egyptian adults. Plaque levels will be assessed using the Turesky and Gilmore modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index, while stain removal efficacy will be evaluated through spectrophotometric color measurements using a Vita Easyshade device. Outcomes will be recorded at baseline and after four weeks of twice-daily brushing with standardized fluoride toothpaste. This study addresses a clear gap in the literature by providing clinical evidence on the effectiveness of charcoal-containing toothbrushes, thereby supporting evidence-based recommendations for modern oral hygiene practices.

Evaluation of a Toothpaste Containing a Gum Health Active in Participants With Gingival Problem

The primary objective of this clinical study is to evaluate the impact on gingival health when participants switch to a fluoride toothpaste without gum-health actives for 4 weeks after using a proven gum-health toothpaste for 13 weeks.

Intraoral Scan and CBCT-Aided Diagnosis of Dental Plaque and Caries

This prospective clinical study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of intraoral scans (IOS) for the detection of dental plaque and caries. The diagnostic performance of IOS will be compared with current clinical reference standards. For plaque assessment, IOS-based evaluation will be compared with plaque detection using disclosing agents. For caries detection, IOS (including white-light imaging and caries detection features) will be compared with conventional visual inspection and bitewing radiography. Adult patients aged 18 to 70 years will be included.

0.2% Chlorhexidine vs MicroRepair ABX in Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the most common form of reversible gum disease, caused by the accumulation of dental plaque. It leads to inflammation of the gums, bleeding, and discomfort, but it can be managed and reversed with professional dental cleaning and proper oral hygiene. Chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwash is considered the "gold standard" in reducing plaque and gingival inflammation. However, its long-term use may cause side effects such as tooth staining, changes in taste, and irritation of the oral tissues. MicroRepair® ABX mouthwash, which contains biomimetic zinc-hydroxyapatite microcrystals with antibacterial components, has shown promising properties in reducing plaque and supporting gum health, with potentially fewer side effects. This randomized controlled clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash and MicroRepair® ABX mouthwash, both used after professional dental cleaning, in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis. Forty participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatments for 14 days. The primary outcome will be the change in gum pocket depth, measured as Probing Pocket Depth (PPD). Secondary outcomes include changes in plaque accumulation, measured as Full-Mouth Plaque Score (FMPS); gum bleeding, measured as Full-Mouth Bleeding Score (FMBS); attachment of the gums to the teeth, measured as Clinical Attachment Level (CAL); gum recession, measured as Recession (REC); tooth staining, measured with the Lobene Stain Index; tooth sensitivity, measured with the Schiff Air Index; taste alterations assessed through a validated questionnaire; and salivary levels of activated Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), a biomarker of gum inflammation. The goal of this study is to determine whether MicroRepair® ABX is as effective as chlorhexidine 0.2% in treating plaque-induced gingivitis, while offering better tolerability and fewer side effects.

MicroRepair® ABX vs Chlorhexidine 0.12% in Gingivitis Patients

This randomized controlled clinical trial is designed to compare the adjunctive effects of two mouthwashes used after professional biofilm removal in patients with generalized plaque-induced gingivitis, a reversible inflammatory condition caused by dental plaque accumulation. The two interventions under investigation are a 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash, commonly used as a reference antiseptic, and a MicroRepair® ABX mouthwash containing a multi-component antibacterial complex composed of cetylpyridinium chloride, magnolol, and honokiol, combined with biomimetic hydroxyapatite. All participants will receive standardized professional oral hygiene treatment according to the Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) protocol. Following this procedure, participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two study groups and instructed to use the allocated mouthwash twice daily for 14 days as an adjunct to routine oral hygiene. Clinical outcomes will include measures of gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation, such as Full-Mouth Bleeding Score (FMBS) and Full-Mouth Plaque Score (FMPS), along with additional periodontal parameters (probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and gingival recession). Treatment-related effects such as tooth staining and dentinal hypersensitivity will also be evaluated. A biological outcome will be assessed through the measurement of salivary levels of active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), a biomarker associated with periodontal inflammation. Patient-reported outcomes, including perceptions of gingival condition, oral comfort, and taste acceptability, will also be collected. Participants will be followed for 6 months. The study aims to determine whether the MicroRepair® ABX mouthwash provides clinical, biological, and patient-reported outcomes comparable to those of chlorhexidine when used as an adjunct to professional biofilm removal in the management of plaque-induced gingivitis.

Disclosing Agents as Photosensitizers in aPDT for Biofilm Control in Children

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of plaque disclosing agents used as photosensitizers in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the control of dental biofilm in children aged 3 to 7 years. Participants will be allocated into groups to receive different treatment protocols, and biofilm levels will be assessed before and after the interventions. The primary outcome is the reduction of dental biofilm, aiming to determine whether disclosing agents can be an effective alternative photosensitizer in aPDT for pediatric patients.

Dual-light Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment to Corticosteroid Treatment in OLP

This study is designed to investigate the effectiveness of plaque control intervention by home-use dual-light aPDT Lumoral -device as an adjunctive or alternative treatment to triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) mouth rinse or other topical corticosteroid treatment on the symptoms and clinical appearance of symptomatic gingival involvement of oral lichen planus (OLP).

A Scalable, Teacher-delivered, School-based Oral Health Intervention for Pakistani Lower Secondary Schoolchildren

This was a pragmatic, two-arm, and parallel-group, superiority cluster-randomized controlled trial with 1:1 allocation of clusters (schools) to either the Smile Smarts-PK intervention arm or the control arm. The trial settings were lower secondary schools (classes 5-8) in the Punjab, Pakistan. Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan; it has many public and low-cost private schools that serve lower- and middle-income communities.

Clinical Evaluation of the NeoPill Device for Reduction of Oral Bacterial Load in Patients With Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the NeoPill oral hygiene device in reducing oral bacterial load in adults wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. Maintaining oral hygiene is challenging for orthodontic patients due to limited access around brackets and wires, and current solutions often rely on chemical-based products and disposable tools. NeoPill is a reusable, battery-operated oral device designed to provide mechanical cleansing of the oral cavity. In this single-arm clinical evaluation, participants will undergo oral swab sampling before and immediately after a single 30-second application of the NeoPill device. The primary outcome is the change in aerobic bacterial load, measured as colony-forming units (CFUs), between pre- and post-treatment samples. Participants will also complete a short questionnaire to assess usability, comfort, and overall experience with the device. The study aims to generate preliminary clinical and user-experience data to support further development of the NeoPill device.

Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 and Probiotics in Periodontal Therapy During Pregnancy

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adjunctive coenzyme Q10 and probiotic supplementation (Limosilactobacillus reuteri Prodentis®) in improving periodontal health in pregnant women undergoing non-surgical periodontal therapy. Forty participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the test group will receive professional oral hygiene every three months along with a coenzyme Q10-based toothpaste and daily probiotic supplementation; the control group will follow the same protocol without probiotics. The primary outcome is the reduction of the Plaque Index (PI), while secondary outcomes include Bleeding on Probing (BoP), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), gingival inflammation (MGI, PMGI), plaque distribution (PCR%, API), and gingival recession (R). The study duration is 6 months. The goal is to assess whether this combined therapy can promote a balanced oral microbiota and enhance periodontal health during pregnancy.

The Antiplaque and Antigingivitis Effect of Pure Green Tea Mouth Wash Compared to Placebo and Essential Oils Mouth Washes

The goal of this clinical trial is to to evaluate the antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of pure green tea mouthwash compared to placebo and essential oils mouthwashes in healthy patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does pure green tea mouthwash effectively reduce dental plaque? * Does pure green tea mouthwash reduce gingival inflammation? Researchers will compare pure green tea mouthwash to Listerine Total Care, Listerine Green Tea, and placebo to see if there is a difference in plaque accumulation and gum inflammation reduction. Participants will be prohibited from using any sort of oral hygiene parctice for the whole study period (3 weeks). Instead, they will rinse with 10 ml of their assigned mouthwash twice daily for 30 seconds. Plaque index, gingival index, and staining index will be examined at multiple intervals and participants will rate their sense of oral freshness and good breath.

Probiotic-Based Versus Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate-Containing Mouthwashes on Streptococcus Mutans Counts, Dental Plaque Accumulation, and Salivary pH in a Group of Egyptian School Children

This study aims to compare the efficacy of probiotic-based mouthwashes versus ethyl lauroyl arginate-containing mouthwashes in reducing Streptococcus mutans count, dental plaque accumulation, and salivary pH among a group of Egyptian schoolchildren.

Clear Aligner Cleaning: Brushing, Chlorhexidine, and BlueM Effects on Oral Microbial Ecology and Periodontal Indices

This randomized crossover study will assess how three aligner-cleaning methods affect early supragingival oral microbial ecology and periodontal health in adults using clear aligners. Each participant will complete three (1-month) periods in a randomized sequence with (1-week) washouts between periods: 1. Mechanical toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste (control), 2. Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash, and 3. an oxygen-based cleanser (BlueM). Primary ecological outcomes focus on early dysbiosis indicators Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia measured on retrieved aligner inner-surface biofilm and on supragingival plaque at the gingival margin. Secondary outcomes include periodontal indices (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing) at index teeth and the host inflammatory marker MMP-8 in matrix-paired extracts (plaque and aligner). Study visits occur at baseline and at the end of each 1-month period. Supragingival plaque is collected from the upper and lower first molars and central incisors; used aligners are swabbed immediately after removal. Participants are instructed to wear aligners about 22 hours/day, change trays every 10 days, remove aligners for meals and oral hygiene, and drink only water while aligners are in. Laboratory procedures include blinded culture enumeration under coded labels (performed by a single trained operator, FA), confocal laser scanning microscopy, and RNA isolation with species-specific qRT-PCR; microscopy is conducted unblinded after decoding. The study will determine whether chlorhexidine or an oxygen-based cleanser produces more favorable early ecological changes and periodontal outcomes than mechanical brushing alone in clear aligner therapy.

A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of an Experimental Toothpaste in Improving Gum Health and Reducing Plaque Accumulation

The aim of this 24-week clinical study is to evaluate the ability of an experimental dentifrice containing 0.454 percent (%) weight by weight (w/w) Stannous fluoride (SnF2); to improve gingival health, plaque reduction and prevention of plaque accumulation compared with a regular fluoride dentifrice (negative control) in participants with mild to moderate gingivitis.

Comparison Of Clinical Effects Of Listerine And Chlorhexidine Mouth Wash In Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Listerine and Chlorhexidine mouthwashes in improving periodontal health in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Gingival Index and Plaque Index will be assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks.

Oral Changes With Caloric and no Caloric Sweeteners

The objective of this clinical trial is to compare the effect that the intake of beverages without sweeteners, added with non-caloric sweeteners (stevioside) and caloric sweeteners (sucrose) on oral pH and dental biofilm microbiome in Mexican adolescents. Participants will drink on different occasions a beverage without sweetener, a beverage added with stevioside or a beverage added with sucrose. The researchers will compare the changes that each one causes in salivary pH, dental biofilm pH, dental biofilm bacterial proliferation and dental biofilm microbiome.

Digital Quantification of Dental Plaque Based on Intraoral Scanner Images

This diagnostic validation study aims to develop and validate a digital method for dental biofilm quantification using three-dimensional images obtained by an intraoral scanner. Twenty participants will undergo intraoral scanning at three time points: before and after plaque disclosure, and after supervised toothbrushing. The digital method's accuracy will be compared with traditional clinical assessment methods (Turesky Plaque Index).

Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment on Oral Hygiene in Elderly Persons

On average, the dental condition of elderly people is poor due to various reasons. The importance of oral health maintenance of the ageing population has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), as oral health plays a key role in reaching the global goal of the "Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030". New measures for maintaining good oral health are welcome. The use of antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and antibacterial blue light (aBL) has been studied and found to reduce the amount of plaque in the mouth. The Lumoral device is a CE-marked home medical device combining aPDT and aBL, and it is effective in reducing the development of plaque and harmful bacteria in the plaque. The device has also been shown to be easy and safe to use. In this study, a combination of regular dental appointments with the importance of enhanced dental self-care, will be tested as one regional solution for reaching the global goal set by WHO.

Targeting of Preventive Treatment for Adolescents at Risk of Oral Diseases

The aim of the study is to identify adolescent patients that are at risk of developing oral diseases, and to assess if targeted preventive oral treatment with antibacterial dual-light therapy as an adjunctive treatment method can have a positive impact in preventing oral diseases from emerging.

Bacteria in Dental Plaque and Atheroma Plaque

Periodontitis is considered a focus of infection where oral bacteria, bacterial by-products or inflammatory mediators can interact with other parts of the organism via the blood. Periodontal pathogen components such as DNA, RNA or specific antigens of P. gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), Treponema denticola (T. denticola), Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) or Campylobacter rectus have been isolated from different tissues such as atheroma plaques, placenta, amniotic sac and respiratory tract. It has been reported that periodontitis may contribute to endothelial dysfunction leading to the formation of atherosclerosis.

Investigation of Biofilm Formation on Temporary push-on Rings of Implant Crowns

This in-vivo study investigates early (48h), mature (2 weeks) and long-term (3 months) biofilm formation and composition on temporary push-on cones (exchangeable conical rings) made of noble-alloy-based materials (Pagalinor, PA) in comparison to Titanium-6Aluminum-7Niobium alloy (TAN) presently used in the transmucosal portion of dental implant abutments.