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Effectiveness of GentleWave on the Healing of Apical Periodontitis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Effectiveness of GentleWave on the Healing of Apical Periodontitis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04966169
Enrollment
23
Registered
2021-07-19
Start date
2021-08-27
Completion date
2025-06-30
Last updated
2025-08-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Apical Periodontitis

Brief summary

The purpose of this 12-month prospective cohort study is to evaluate post-operatory pain, patient satisfaction, and treatment outcomes (i.e., healing) when the newly-developed, 510k FDA-approved multisonic energy GentleWAve System (Sonendo, Inc., Laguna Hills, CA) is used in complex root canal procedures.

Detailed description

Apical Periodontitis (AP) is a disease where multiple types of bacteria, including those that can live without oxygen, create a bacterial film on the tissues around teeth. These bacteria colonize the dying pulp tissue, invade channels within teeth and other openings, and create an inflammatory response of the tissues surrounding the teeth. Therefore, the primary goal of endodontic treatment is to reduce bacteria numbers by removing remaining tissues, bacterial films, and infected dentine (i.e., layer of tooth below the enamel). Healing of apical periodontitis (AP) is expected, in the majority of cases, if proper bacterial disinfection is accomplished. Elimination of these bacteria can be achieved by a combined action of several treatments. Lately, irrigation and mechanical instrumentation techniques have been developed with this intention. Some new technologies are based on the concept of using minimally-invasive instruments with hydrodynamic cavitation generating a broad spectrum of sound waves within the degassed fluid inside of the tooth. However, there is not enough evidence in the literature to support its efficacy. The hypothesis of this study is that the GentleWave (GW) hydrodynamic cavitation system (Sonendo, Inc., Laguna Hills, CA) will achieve a high success rate in treating and healing apical periodontitis (AP), a disease where a bacterial film is formed on the tissues around the teeth.

Interventions

The GentleWave hydrodynamic cavitation system is a 510k FDA-approved multisonic energy system that is used in complex root canal procedures.

Sponsors

University of Iowa
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18+ years * Speak and Read English * Able to attend follow-up visits at 6 months AND 1 year (post-baseline treatment) * A tooth with no response to cold and electric pulp testing. * Tooth is a 1st or 2nd mandibular molar * Tooth has no response to cold/electric pulp testing * Tooth has a diagnosis of pulp necrosis with asymptomatic apical periodontitis * 1st and 2nd mandibular molars. * Current (i.e., taken within the last week) radiograph available (or done at screening, as needed) * A limited-volume, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) taken at the first visit confirms apical periodontitis (radiolucency).

Exclusion criteria

* Patient has advanced untreated periodontal disease/recent periodontal surgery * Patient has non-odontogenic facial pan (e.g., face pain of unknown cause) * Patient has a history of poor attendance at dental visits * Patient is pregnant * Patient reports taking corticosteroids * Patient is supervised by the Principal Investigator or a member of the research team * Patient is subordinate to the Principal Investigator or a member of the research team * Patient is a student/trainee under the direction of the Principal Investigator or a member of the research team * Tooth had previous intervention (e.g., pulp debridement: removal of the pulp/nerve of the tooth) * Tooth has incomplete root formation (e.g., immature with apical periodontitis) * Tooth has defective restorations or carious lesions (i.e., cavities) that could lead to microleakage * Tooth has internal or external resorption * Tooth has a mobility score of 3 * Tooth has a fracture/visibly cracked * Tooth has vital (i.e., functioning) pulp * Advanced untreated periodontal disease or recent periodontal surgery.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from baseline of Cone Beam Computed Tomography Periapical Index (CBCTPAI) across 1 yearBaseline; 6-months; 12 monthsThis will be assessed by the evaluator measuring the estimated tooth on the CBCT and assigning an index score on the CBCT. A score of 0 denotes an intact periapical bone structure. A score of 1 denotes a diameter of periapical radiolucency \>0.5-1mm. A score of 2 denotes a diameter of periapical radiolucency \>1-2mm. A score of 3 denotes a diameter of periapical radiolucency \>2-4mm. A score of 4 denotes a diameter of periapical radiolucency \>4-8mm. A score of 5 denotes a diameter of periapical radiolucency \>8mm. A score of 6 denotes (n) + E = expansion of periapical cortical bone. A score of 7 denotes (n) + D = destruction of periapical cortical bone.
Change from baseline of peripical index (PAI) across 1 year.Baseline; 6-months post-baseline; 12 months post-baselineThis will be assessed by asking the evaluator to evaluate the PAI score at each X-ray. A value of 1 denotes normal periapical structures. A value of 2 denotes small changes in the bone structure. A value of 3 denotes changes in bone structure with some mineral loss. A value of 4 denotes apical periodontitis with well-defined radiolucent areas. A value of 5 denotes severe apical periodontitis with exacerbating features.
Change from baseline of modified wound healing scale (Mod-CWHS) across 1 year6 months post-baseline; 12 months post-baselineThis will be assessed by the evaluator evaluating the research subject's healing status on a scale of 1-3. A value of 1 is Uneventful wound healing with no gingival edema, erythema, suppuration, discomfort or barrier exposure. A value of 2 is Uneventful wound healing with slight gingival edema, erythema, or discomfort but no suppuration. 3 is a value of poor wound healing with significant gingival edema, erythema, discomfort, loss of barrier or any suppuration.
Change from baseline of pain severity in 0-10 pain severity scale across 1 yearBaseline; 2 days post-baseline; 1 weeks post-baseline; 2 weeks post-baseline; 6 months post-baseline; 12-months post-baselineThis will be assessed by asking the research subject their current level of pain on a 0-10 scale, and the patient will circle one line.
Change from Day 2 of research subject's thoughts on treatment result across 1 year.2 days post-baseline; 1-week post-baseline; 2-weeks post-baseline; 6-months post-baseline; 12 months post-baselineThis will be assessed by asking the research subject to assess their own treatment result on a scale of 0 to 10 and circling one line.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026