CompletedNot Applicable

Impact of an AI-Based Chatbot on Implant Patient Management: RCT

Italy110 participantsStarted 2024-06-01

Plain-language summary

Background: Dental implant therapy is a well-established and predictable procedure for replacing missing teeth, with high long-term survival rates. However, poor oral hygiene remains one of the main modifiable risk factors for peri-implant diseases such as mucositis and peri-implantitis. Objective: The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot, developed and validated by dental experts, in improving oral hygiene and clinical outcomes in patients with implant-supported restorations, compared to traditional educational methods such as printed leaflets and dental hygienist sessions. Methods: A total of 110 adult patients rehabilitated with dental implants were randomly assigned to either an AI chatbot intervention group or a control group receiving standard oral hygiene education. The chatbot provides continuous, personalized education and motivation through natural language interaction. Clinical and radiographic parameters, including plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and marginal bone loss (MBL), were recorded at baseline and at follow-up visits. Expected outcomes: It is hypothesized that the use of an AI-based chatbot will significantly improve oral hygiene compliance and clinical outcomes compared to conventional methods. Significance: The study aims to demonstrate the potential of AI-assisted patient education in promoting long-term peri-implant health and preventing peri-implant diseases.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Systemically healthy or with controlled systemic conditions; * Good periodontal health on either an intact or reduced periodontium; * Regular adherence to supportive periodontal therapy (SPT); * Presence of at least one osseointegrated dental implant in the maxilla or mandible, following transmucosal healing for 2-4 months; * Daily access to a smartphone. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 years; * Untreated or active periodontal disease; * Currently undergoing orthodontic therapy; * Patients with cognitive deficits; * Smoking habit (more than 10 cigarettes per day); * History of heavy alcohol consumption; * Use of immunosuppressive medication; * Pregnancy or lactation.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Plaque Index (PI) Score at Implant Sites

Timeframe: Baseline (prosthetic loading of implant) and 6 months after intervention start.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07300657

SponsorUniversity of Catania

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-05-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Peri-Implant Mucositis trials