CompletedNot Applicable

Touch-to-Teach Interdental Brush Instruction Versus Conventional Guidance on Gingival Health in Patients With Fixed Dental Prostheses

United Arab Emirates32 participantsStarted 2024-03-15

Plain-language summary

Why is this study being done? People with dental crowns often develop inflamed gums because bacteria accumulate in the tight spaces between teeth that a regular toothbrush cannot reach. Interdental brushes can clean these spaces, but patients frequently use them incorrectly. This study tested whether a personalised, hands-on instructional method called Touch-to-Teach produces healthier gums compared with standard dental hygiene advice. Who participated? 40 adults with at least one porcelain-fused-to-metal crown in the molar region with supragingival margins took part at Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, UAE. Four participants withdrew; 36 completed the three-month study. What did participants do? All participants received full-mouth scaling and standardised toothbrushing instruction. Group 1 (Touch-to-Teach) additionally received probe-guided, site-specific interdental brush selection and guided in-mouth training, with correctly sized brushes provided for home use. Group 2 (Conventional Instruction) received verbal advice, educational videos, and a model-based demonstration, with brush size selected empirically and no brushes provided for home use. Follow-up visits were conducted at one, two, and three months. What was measured? A blinded examiner recorded gum inflammation, plaque levels, gum pocket depth, and bleeding at each visit. Both groups completed a questionnaire on brush comfort, perceived efficacy, and satisfaction at one and three months. What were the key results? The Touch-to-Teach group showed significantly greater reductions in plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, and probing depth compared with the control group. Both groups showed meaningful reductions in gingival bleeding over time, with no statistically significant difference between groups at three months. Patient-reported outcomes consistently favoured the Touch-to-Teach group. These findings suggest that calibrated, personalised interdental brush instruction may offer advantages for patients with fixed dental prostheses.

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: * Adults aged 18 years and older * Presence of at least one porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown in the molar region with supragingival margins, in occlusal function for a minimum of 3 months prior to enrollment * Prosthesis does not interfere with the supracrestal attachment apparatus (biologic width preserved) * Clinically healthy periodontium confirmed at screening, with no signs of periodontal disease as per the 2017 World Workshop classification criteria * Systemically healthy with no conditions known to affect periodontal healing or gingival response * Ability and willingness to attend all scheduled study visits at baseline, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months * Willing and able to provide written informed consent \-- Exclusion Criteria: * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * Use of interdental brushes within the previous 6 months * Current smoker or any tobacco user * Use of systemic antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications within the previous 3 months * Regular use of anti-plaque or antimicrobial mouth rinses within the previous 3 months * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding * Fractured or defective fixed prosthesis requiring repair or replacement prior to enrollment * Inability to attend scheduled follow-up visits

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

Gingival Index (GI)

Timeframe: Baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months (primary endpoint: 3 months)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07636954

SponsorGulf Medical University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-06-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Gingivitis trials