Clinical Research Directory

Clinical Effectiveness of Biologic Agents as an Adjunct to Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy of Intrabony Defects

The aim of the present study is to clinically and radiographically compare the efficacy of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF), Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) and Enamel Matrix Derivatives (EMD) in intrabony defects following minimally invasive non surgical peridoontal therapy (MINST). This study will be designed as a randomized clinical trial of 12-month duration. A total of 88 patients (each with a single infrabony defect) will be recruited and randomly equally distributed into 4 groups: an experimental group treated with MINST and rhPDGF, a second group treated with MINST + L-PRF, a third group treated with MINST and EMD and and a control group treated with MINST alone. Each defect will be treated with an ultrasonic scaler with dedicated thin tips for supra- and subgingival debridement associated with hand instrumentation under local anesthesia. Caution will be taken to preserve the stability of soft tissues. Following MINST experimental and control sites will be randomly chosen. The test sites will be treated by inserting a collagen plug soaked for at least 15 minutes in a 1.5cc solution containing hPDGF-BB. In the second group the infrabony defects will be treated with MINST and L-PRF. In the third group the infrabony defects will be treated with MINST and EMD. The control group will be treated with MINST alone. Pre- and post-treatment clinical measurements were performed by an examiner blinded to the treatment modalities using a graded periodontal probe (HuFriedy UNC 15). Before the treatment and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment, all patients were examined by measuring the clinical attachment level, probing depth, gingival recession, full-mouth plaque score and bleeding on probing. Standardized radiographs of selected study sites will be taken at baseline and at the 6 and 12 months follow-up visits using the long-cone technique with a customized holder and a thermoplastic occlusal reference to allow reproducible positioning. All radiographs will be analysed by a dedicated dental software (Carestream Dental LLC Atlanta, GA, USA) to make linear measurements. The defect bone level (DBL), the defect angle (DA), the intra- and suprabony components of the defect and the radiographic defect area (RDA) will be evaluated.

Diode Laser as an Adjunct to Professional Mechanical Plaque Removal

This study will utilize diode laser to determine its effects on improving periodontal parameters and inflammatory biomarkers, comparing with conventional treatment alone, and evaluate its effectiveness in improving periodontal disease's clinical parameters. Several studies have compared the effects of lasers and conventional periodontal treatment, comparing only its microbiological and clinical parameter levels and therapy to determine their effectiveness in key periodontal pathogens eradication and their effects on improving the clinical parameters of periodontal disease, in this study, salivary biomarkers will be collected and assessed to do a comparison between two treatment modalities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of diode lasers on salivary biomarker levels.

Adjunctive Effect of Erythritol on Pocket Closure Rates

This clinical trial is studying whether using erythritol powder during non-surgical periodontal treatment (deep cleaning) helps improve gum health in people with severe periodontitis. Participants with deep gum pockets (4 mm or more) receive standard treatment alone or standard treatment plus cleaning with erythritol powder. The goal is to evaluate if adding erythritol improves outcomes such as healing of gum pockets, bleeding, plaque levels, and gum attachment compared to standard treatment alone.

Oral Health Education and Message Framing Effect on Oral Health Status of Refugees in Egypt

Refugees, facing forced displacement and often exposed to traumatic experiences, represent a vulnerable population with unique healthcare needs. Oral health is considered a prominent factor that contributes to quality of life. Therefore, this study aim at assessing the effect of message framing on enhancing oral health practices in a group of refugees in Alexandria, Egypt. A three-arm cluster randomized controlled clinical trial will compare a gain-framed mobile text messages group, a loss-framed mobile text messages group, and a control group. The primary outcome is the improvement in oral health practices measured by changes in dental plaque and secondary outcome is to assess change in oral health-related quality of life. In addition, oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of refugees will be assessed.