Effects of Hard Gum Chewing on Facial Soft Tissue Morphology (NCT07726511) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Hard Gum Chewing on Facial Soft Tissue Morphology
United States20 participantsStarted 2026-06-03
Plain-language summary
This pilot clinical trial will evaluate whether intentional chewing of a standardized hard chewing gum for 4 weeks produces measurable changes in facial morphology in healthy adults. Twenty participants aged 20-40 years will undergo three-dimensional facial imaging (3dMD) at baseline (T0), after the 4-week chewing intervention (T1), and following a 4-5-week washout period (T2). Changes in facial soft-tissue morphology will be assessed using three-dimensional surface analysis, including heatmaps, regional surface displacement, and morphometric measurements. Secondary outcomes include self-reported muscle fatigue, soreness, adherence, and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 40 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:
* Healthy, non-smoking adults.
* Age 20 to 40 years.
* Presence of a full dentition from central incisor to first molar in all four quadrants, excluding second molars.
* Stable occlusion with no ongoing orthodontic treatment or myofunctional therapy.
* Ability and willingness to comply with the prescribed hard-gum chewing regimen for 4 weeks and attend all study visits.
* Ability to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age younger than 20 years or older than 40 years.
* Evident facial asymmetry from a frontal view.
* Signs or symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD).
* Less than the normal range of condylar motion during maximum opening and closing.
* Parafunctional habits such as bruxism with pain, clenching, or habitual gum chewing for more than 1 hour per day.
* History of major craniofacial trauma, orthognathic surgery, or congenital craniofacial anomalies.
* Ongoing orthodontic treatment or recent removal of fixed appliances (\<6 months).
* Significant malocclusion or missing teeth in the anterior or premolar-first molar region that may affect mastication.
* Systemic diseases or medications affecting muscle or bone metabolism.
* Previous use of botulinum toxin (Botox) within the last 6 months or anticipated use during the study period.
* Pregnancy or lactation.
* Allergy or intolerance to the chewing gum ingredients.
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
Changes in Facial Morphology Assessed by 3dMD Stereophotogrammetry