3D Scanning for Tooth Decay

Overseen By Lorena Galvez, CRC

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Indiana University

Must not be taking: Any medication

Disqualifiers: Unerupted teeth, Restored teeth, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effectiveness of a 3D digital scanner in detecting dental issues such as cavities, wear, and fluorosis (discoloration) in children's teeth. The process includes a simple visual check-up followed by a scan to compare results. The goal is to determine if the 3D scanner can match or improve upon traditional methods. This trial suits children aged 3-12 who have at least one fully erupted baby tooth and are visiting the Pediatric Dentistry department at Indiana University. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity for children to benefit from cutting-edge technology in dental care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes children who are using medication, so participants must not be on any current medications to join.

What prior data suggests that this 3D digital scanning is safe for assessing dental conditions in children?

Research has shown that 3D digital scanning is safe and comfortable for use in dentistry. Studies have examined how these scanners detect dental issues like cavities and worn-down teeth, demonstrating that the scanning process itself does not harm or discomfort patients.

For instance, one study used these scanners over a year and found no negative effects. Another study assessed the scanners' ability to spot early signs of tooth wear and found them effective without causing any issues for patients.

This technology is already widely used in dental clinics for various check-ups. It helps dentists identify problems early, allowing for prompt treatment. These findings suggest that 3D digital scanning is a safe method for examining teeth, especially in children. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about 3D digital scanning for tooth decay because it offers a cutting-edge way to detect dental issues like cavities, erosive wear, and fluorosis. Unlike traditional methods that rely on direct visual examination, this technique uses advanced imaging technology to provide a more detailed and accurate assessment of the teeth. This can potentially lead to earlier detection and better treatment outcomes, making dental care more effective and efficient.

What evidence suggests that 3D digital scanning is effective for assessing tooth decay?

Research has shown that 3D digital scanning is a promising tool for identifying dental issues such as cavities, wear, and fluorosis. In this trial, participants will undergo both direct visual examination and indirect 3D digital scanning to compare their effectiveness in detecting dental caries, erosive tooth wear, and fluorosis. Studies have demonstrated that these scanners can effectively find cavities (holes in teeth caused by decay) and tooth wear. Specifically, one study confirmed a system that automatically rates cavities, proving it works well for detecting and classifying them. Another study verified the scanner's ability to monitor tooth wear over time. These findings suggest that 3D digital scanning can reliably check dental health in children. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Aline Castilho, DDS

Principal Investigator

Indiana Unviersity

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 3-12 with fully erupted primary teeth who are visiting the Pediatric Dentistry Department at Indiana University School of Dentistry. It's suitable for those needing dental checks or treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

My child is between 3 and 12 years old with at least one adult tooth.

Exclusion Criteria

Unerupted primary teeth

I have had dental work to restore my teeth.

My child is currently taking medication.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Visual Examination

Teeth are cleaned and examined visually using dental tools and light to assess caries, erosive wear, and fluorosis

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Digital Scanning

Teeth are scanned with a 3D intraoral scanner to validate findings from the visual examination

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any immediate reactions or issues post-examination

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• 3D Digital Scanning

Trial Overview The study tests a 3D intraoral digital scanner to identify tooth decay, wear, and fluorosis in kids' teeth. It compares visual examination results with scans using ICDAS, BEWE, and TF indices during a single clinic visit.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: direct- visual examination and indirect- 3D digital scanning Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Two diagnostic methods (direct- visual examination and indirect- 3D digital scanning) will be conducted for each participant (n=30), comparing their effectiveness in detecting dental caries, erosive tooth wear, and fluorosis.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Indiana University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,063

Recruited

1,182,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11805234/

Scanning in Dentistry: A Systematic Review - PMC This literature review examines the development, present state, and potential future effects of scanning technology in dentistry.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06829550

3D Scanning as an Advanced Tool for Identifying Tooth ... This study focuses on assessing dental caries, erosive tooth wear, and fluorosis in primary teeth using a 3D intraoral digital scanner. The investigator will ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-021-00259-w

Automated caries detection in vivo using a 3D intraoral ... This study clinically validates an automated caries scoring system for occlusal caries detection and classification, previously defined for an IOS system ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571224004925

Automated monitoring of tooth wear progression using AI ... This study aimed to develop and evaluate a fully automated method for visualizing and measuring tooth wear progression using pairs of intraoral scans (IOSs)

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/359424375_Monitoring_erosive_tooth_wear_with_intraoral_3D_scanner_A_feasibility_study

Monitoring erosive tooth wear with intraoral 3D scanner Purpose: To evaluate in vitro the potential of an intraoral scanner (IOS) to monitor erosive tooth wear (ETW) using different alignment ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9025239/

Application of the Intraoral Scanner in the Diagnosis ... The aim of the study was to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of the intraoral scanner for measuring dental wear, as well as to evaluate patients' ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300571218304809

The sensitivity of digital intraoral scanners at measuring ... The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of an intraoral scanner to quantitatively detect early erosive tooth wear. Our null hypotheses states that ...

8. sbdental.com sbdental.com/blog/digital-scanning-technology-in-dentistry-what-patients-should-know

Digital Scanning Technology in Dentistry: What Patients ... They help identify early signs of dental caries, tooth wear, and other abnormalities, enabling timely intervention. Furthermore, these scans ...

9. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/11/1069

Intraoral Scanning for Monitoring Dental Wear and Its Risk ... This one-year study with 39 participants involved comprehensive examinations and full-arch intraoral scans at the start and after 12 months.