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The Impact of a 3D Imaging Tool on Reducing Gum Recession During Orthodontic Treatment With Aligners

The Impact of a 3D Imaging Visualization Tool for Orthodontic Treatment With Aligners in Reducing Periodontal Recession Occurrence

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07513792
Acronym
GOPRO
Enrollment
40
Registered
2026-04-07
Start date
2025-09-04
Completion date
2027-06-01
Last updated
2026-04-07

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

Conditions

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Gingival Recession, Orthodontic

Brief summary

This study investigates whether using 3D imaging technology (Cone Beam Computed Tomography or CBCT) for orthodontic treatment planning with aligners can reduce the risk of gingival recession in adult patients seeking dental arch expansion. Many aligner treatments involve expanding the dental arches to address issues like crowding and "black corridors," but this can sometimes lead to gum recession. The research compares two groups of patients: one group will have their treatment planned using CBCT, which allows for detailed 3D visualization of the teeth and bone structure, while the other group will follow a conventional 2D treatment plan. The goal is to see if the 3D tool helps prevent gum recession and other periodontal problems like bone thinning, as well as to assess the impact on other factors like upper airway dimensions. The study is a randomized controlled trial with 40 participants. It will track changes in gum health, bone structure, and airway volume over the course of treatment. The researchers aim to find out if the advanced imaging tool provides significant benefits compared to traditional planning methods.

Interventions

DEVICE3D CBCT-Guided Orthodontic Treatment with Aligners

This intervention involves orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, where the treatment planning is guided by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). The CBCT data is integrated into the digital planning software to allow 3D visualization of teeth and surrounding bone structures. This enables precise planning of tooth movements within the bony envelope, aiming to reduce the risk of gingival recession and other periodontal complications associated with arch expansion.

DEVICEconventional orthodontic treatment planning

Orthodontic treatment planning is traditionally based on two-dimensional radiographs (cephalometric and panoramic), which do not provide information about the three-dimensional position of teeth and their roots within the alveolar bone.

Sponsors

University of Liege
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* more than 18years old * requesting an orthodontic treatment with aligners * dental class I or slight class II or III * presence of black corridors

Exclusion criteria

* agenesis or extraction except for the 3rd molars * need of extraction for the orthodontic treatment-need for orthognathic surgery * generalized unilateral, bilateral, or anterior crossbite * active periodontal disease * presence of severe recession (≥2mm) * furcation involvement * absence of keratinized tissues * smoker \> 10c/day-auto-immune disease or immunocompromised patients * uncontrolled diabetes * use of steroids or biphosphonates-local or systemic infection (medical treatment needed prior to entrance to the study) * pregnancy * alcoholism or chronically drug abuse

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in total gingival recession severity score (S1 - S0)Baseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)The primary endpoint is defined as the difference between the sum of gingival recession severity scores at baseline (S0) and post-treatment (S1). The total score ranges from 0 to 64.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in buccal bone dehiscenceBaseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)Change in buccal bone dehiscence score assessed using CBCT imaging, based on a 5-grade scale (0-4).
Change in keratinized tissue heightBaseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)Change in keratinized tissue height measured clinically and categorized into 4 grades (0-3).
Change in buccal bone thickness (mm)Baseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)Change in buccal bone thickness measured in millimeters using CBCT imaging.
Presence of bone fenestrationBaseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)Presence or absence of bone fenestration assessed using CBCT imaging (binary outcome: yes/no).
Change in upper airway volumeBaseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)Change in upper airway volume measured using CBCT imaging and dedicated software analysis.
Change in smallest transverse upper airway dimensionBaseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)Change in the smallest transverse dimension of the upper airway measured using CBCT imaging.
Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale scoreBaseline and at completion of treatment (approximately 12 months)Change in daytime sleepiness assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire.

Countries

Belgium

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 8, 2026