Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunct in Periodontal Treatment (NCT07633405) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunct in Periodontal Treatment
Ecuador30 participantsStarted 2026-07-28
Plain-language summary
This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of periodontitis. A split-mouth design will be used, in which one hemiarch receives conventional SRP and the contralateral hemiarch receives SRP combined with aPDT. Clinical periodontal parameters, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI), will be assessed at baseline and 30 days after treatment. The study seeks to determine whether adjunctive aPDT improves periodontal outcomes compared with conventional non-surgical periodontal therapy alone.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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:
* Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
* Diagnosis of Stage I, II, III, or IV periodontitis according to the 2018 World Workshop Classification.
* Presence of at least two hemiarches with periodontal pockets ≥5 mm suitable for a split-mouth design.
* Systemically healthy individuals.
* No periodontal treatment received within the previous 6 months.
* No use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or antiseptic mouth rinses within the previous 3 months.
* Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent and attend follow-up visits.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Uncontrolled systemic diseases that may affect healing or immune response.
* Use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive medications within the previous 3 months.
* Active smokers consuming more than 10 cigarettes per day.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
* Presence of dental implants, defective restorations, or teeth with Grade III mobility in the selected study sites.
* Known allergy to toluidine blue O or any component of the photosensitizer.
* Individuals unable or unwilling to attend the 30-day follow-up visit.
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.