View clinical trials related to Dental Caries.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the test toothpaste containing 1150 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride (F) on the mineral content of demineralized enamel specimens, in an in situ caries model system, by comparing the differences in net remineralization change (ΔM) following use of the test toothpaste with a fluoride free (0 ppm F) reference control toothpaste.
This is a double blind, cross-over, controlled clinical trial utilizing thirty (30) adults to evaluate remineralization of early caries lesions.
Aim: to examine caries occurrence in children who ten years ago received a mixture of probiotics during infancy. Hypothesis: the administration of probiotics during infancy has no effect on future dental health.
The prevalence and severity of dental caries in incarcerated people who abuse drugs are unknown but an inmate reporting to the dental clinic typically presents with myriad findings: oral signs of uncontrolled decay on the buccal smooth surfaces of the posterior teeth and interproximal surfaces of the anterior teeth, excessive tooth wear due to grinding and clenching, and gingival inflammation. The primary risk factors for the development of caries appear to be the combination of xerostomia, frequent consumption of carbonated soft drinks, high dental plaque levels and nonexistent or inadequate oral hygiene. Since some of these findings are seen in the other disease states, specifically in substance abuse cases, the diagnosis is often not clear. The objective of the project is to design a cross sectional comparative feasibility study that will estimate the prevalence, pattern, and severity of untreated dental decay for three types of inmates: methamphetamine abusers, substance abusers not identified as methamphetamine users, and non-substance abusers, focusing in on methamphetamine abusers as the highest risk group. Recruitment will be accomplished using a 2-phased process. Phase I. An invitation letter explaining the study purpose and its relevance to oral health in a correctional setting will be mailed to the inmate population at two Federal Bureau of Prisons' institutions who entered the prison system during the first half of 2009. Dublin, a female FCI located in Northern California and Butner, a male FCC located in North Carolina were the selected facilities due to the high incidence of drug abusers among their inmates. The letter, which will invite all inmates to participate in the study, will inform the inmate should they consent to participate in the study that they will have their existing dental record confirmed, Central File reviewed for DSM-IV diagnosis pertinent to the study, and that they will be given a study questionnaire. Positive responses to the invitation letters will be returned to Dr. Johnson at head quarters in Washington DC. The psychology division will code the volunteer inmates into the three study groups. Phase II. The first 30 chronologically documented volunteers in each study group category will be scheduled an appointment. A consent form will be read and explained to each inmate, in either English or Spanish as appropriate and his/her signature obtained as his/her informed consent. Each question on the study questionnaire will be read to the inmate volunteer and the Research Associate will record the answer. A retrospective comparative study will then be employed utilizing the inmate's initial dental intake exam (routinely administered by the Federal Bureau of Prisons' dental department). The dental chart will be abstracted for dental caries. The pattern of surface-specific dental caries (DFS index) will be described and analyzed. The focus will be on the levels of untreated and treated disease diagnosed in a 4-zone partition of the oral dentition, representing a modification of the zones identified in the Grainger's caries severity index scoring system as this partition allows focus on decay patterns of anterior tooth surfaces. The multivariate summary of disease levels within each zone will be derived and statistically compared across the three study groups using Hotelling's t2-test (the multivariate extension of the Student-t test). The results of the study will be used to do a preliminary assessment between methamphetamine drug abuse and oral health and determine whether a prospective clinical study is warranted.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the success rate of alternative treatment of deep carious lesions in asymptomatic primary teeth with no clinical nor radiographic signs of pulpal inflammation. The treatment includes leaving a thin layer of caries that is present near the pulp chamber and includes liner placement and tooth sealing. This alternative treatment is to be compared with the treatment provided today to these teeth, which includes complete removal of caries and probably includes pulpotomy and wide preparation of the tooth. The study also evaluates the cost-effectiveness of both methods of treatment of deep carious lesions.
Purpose: 1. Revise the existing oral health risk assessment tool (known as the Encounter Form in the IRB-approved project DENT-1527) and develop accompanying guidelines for its use and distribution. 2. Evaluate the education intervention to accompany the distribution of the new risk assessment tool - the Priority Oral Health Risk Assessment and Referral Tool - PORRT and guidelines. 3. Evaluate the extent to which the education intervention affects physicians' screening and referral performance (use of guidelines, appropriateness and quality of referrals). Participants: Primary care medical and dental providers in North Carolina. Procedures (methods): UNC will engage in a systematic literature review of dental caries risk and a simulation analysis in order to finalize the design of the PORRT referral tool and its accompanying guidelines. Medical providers will be surveyed statewide regarding their oral health screening practices with children under three years of age, and a randomized controlled trial will be implemented in 75 of these practices to evaluate guideline dissemination and effectiveness. Referral behavior will be evaluated through an analysis of the completed PORRT forms and a record review in dental practices serving as referral sites. Medicaid claims analysis will determine referral effectiveness for the RCT sites compared to the state as a whole.