Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Periodontal Effects of Fixed Retainers (NCT07414264) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Periodontal Effects of Fixed Retainers
Turkey (Türkiye)53 participantsStarted 2024-10-24
Plain-language summary
This prospective clinical study aims to evaluate the effects of fixed lingual retainers placed after orthodontic treatment on periodontal soft and hard tissue parameters using ultrasonographic imaging. A total of 53 participants (636 anterior teeth) who had completed fixed orthodontic therapy were examined at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after retainer placement. Ultrasonographic assessments were performed to measure gingival thickness, marginal bone level, and gingival level. Periodontal clinical parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment loss, were also recorded. The study seeks to determine whether fixed retainers induce measurable alterations in periodontal structures and to explore potential correlations between gingival phenotype and ultrasonographic findings.
Who can participate
Age range
16 Years – 24 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:
* Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients who have completed comprehensive orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.
* Patients with a fixed mandibular or maxillary lingual retainer in place for at least 6 months.
* Age between 18 and 40 years.
* Good general health with no systemic conditions affecting periodontal tissues.
* Non-smokers or light smokers (\<5 cigarettes/day).
* Presence of all anterior teeth without significant restorations or prosthetic crowns.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of periodontal surgery or advanced periodontitis prior to orthodontic treatment.
* Systemic diseases or medications affecting periodontal health (e.g., diabetes, immunosuppressive therapy).
* Pregnancy or lactation.
* Poor oral hygiene or non-compliance with oral hygiene instructions.
* Teeth with caries, large restorations, or endodontic treatment in the area of interest.
* Patients with removable retainers or interrupted use of fixed retainers.
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
1
Change in Gingival Thickness Measured by Ultrasonography