Clinical trials

This study aims to compare the effects of computer-controlled local anesthesia and conventional inferior alveolar nerve block on dental anxiety and pain in children undergoing pulpectomy of mandibular primary molars. Both anesthesia techniques are routinely used in pediatric dental practice and are considered standard methods of care. Children aged 6 to 8 years who require bilateral pulpectomy of mandibular primary molars will be included in this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. Each participant will receive both anesthesia techniques during separate treatment sessions. Dental anxiety, pain, and physiological parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature, will be assessed before, during, and after treatment using validated pediatric assessment scales and routine clinical measurements. The findings of this study may help identify the anesthesia technique that provides greater comfort and reduces anxiety and pain during pediatric dental treatment, thereby improving the overall treatment experience for children.

The purpose of this retrospective radiographic study is to evaluate the effects of long-term H1 antihistamine use on mandibular trabecular bone structure in children aged 8-10 years. Mandibular trabecular bone will be assessed using fractal dimension analysis and the panoramic mandibular index on digital panoramic radiographs. Three groups will be compared: children receiving long-term H1 antihistamine therapy, allergic children without antihistamine use, and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The findings will provide information on whether long-term antihistamine therapy is associated with alterations in mandibular bone microarchitecture.

The purpose of this retrospective observational study is to investigate whether mandibular canal dimensions and sublingual fossa morphology can serve as radiographic predictors of the mandibular lateral lingual canal (MLLC) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images of adults with unilateral MLLC will be retrospectively evaluated. Mandibular canal diameter, mental foramen diameter, and sublingual fossa depth will be compared between the side with the MLLC and the contralateral side. In addition, the location, diameter, and course of the MLLC will be analyzed to identify radiographic features associated with its presence and to improve preoperative assessment for mandibular surgical procedures.

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effects of different local anesthesia techniques on dental anxiety and pain in children undergoing vital pulp therapy of permanent mandibular first molars. Conventional inferior alveolar nerve block and two computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) systems used in routine clinical practice will be compared. The choice of anesthesia technique will be based on the clinician's routine decision-making, and no additional intervention or modification of standard treatment will be performed for research purposes. Dental anxiety, pain, physiological parameters, and postoperative complications will be assessed using validated clinical scales and routine clinical measurements. The findings may help improve pain and anxiety management during pediatric dental treatment while supporting evidence-based selection of local anesthesia techniques.

The study population will consist of undergraduate dental students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 100 students, including 50 first-year and 50 fifth-year dental students, will be included. Eligible participants will be healthy students who meet the study criteria and provide written informed consent. Participants will undergo subjective and objective halitosis assessments, including questionnaires, organoleptic evaluation, volatile sulfur compound measurements, tongue coating assessment, and DMFT index recording.

Nail biting (onychophagia) is a common parafunctional habit characterized by repetitive and non-functional biting behavior. Although the effects of nail biting on dental structures and occlusion have been reported, its potential effects on mandibular bone structure remain unclear. This retrospective radiological study aims to evaluate the association between nail biting habit and mandibular bone characteristics using fractal analysis and panoramic morphometric indices. Existing panoramic radiographs of individuals with and without nail biting habits will be retrospectively analyzed. Trabecular bone complexity, mandibular cortical width, panoramic mandibular index, and Klemetti index values will be compared between groups to investigate whether nail biting habit is associated with alterations in mandibular bone morphology.

regulate nasal airflow, humidify and filter inspired air. Serrated inferior turbinate is a rare anatomical variation characterized by an irregular, serrated appearance of the inferior turbinate bone. Although this variation has been described in radiological studies, its possible relationship with maxillary sinus mucosal changes and other sinonasal anatomical features remains unclear. This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between serrated inferior turbinate variation and maxillary sinus mucosal thickness, mucosal abnormalities, and other sinonasal anatomical structures using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. CBCT images obtained from patients who underwent imaging for routine diagnostic purposes will be retrospectively reviewed. The presence of serrated inferior turbinate variation, maxillary sinus findings, inferior turbinate measurements, and nasal septum characteristics will be evaluated. The study aims to improve understanding of the radiological significance of serrated inferior turbinate variation and to provide information that may contribute to more accurate evaluation and reporting of sinonasal anatomical variations.

Dental anxiety and pain associated with local anesthetic injections are among the most common barriers to successful dental treatment in children. Topical anesthetic agents are widely used to reduce discomfort during needle insertion; however, evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of different formulations remains limited. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effects of four routinely used topical anesthetic applications (benzocaine spray, benzocaine gel, lidocaine spray, and lidocaine gel) on pain and anxiety during local infiltration anesthesia in pediatric dental patients. The study will include 160 healthy children aged 6-8 years who require maxillary infiltration anesthesia for routine dental treatment. The choice of topical anesthetic will be determined by the treating clinician as part of routine clinical practice, and no additional intervention or treatment modification will be performed for research purposes. Dental anxiety will be assessed using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-faces version (MCDASf), behavioral responses during local anesthetic administration will be evaluated using the Sound, Eye, and Motor (SEM) scale, and self-reported pain will be measured using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Physiological parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and body temperature, will be recorded before, during, and after local anesthetic administration. The findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of commonly used topical anesthetic formulations in reducing pain and anxiety during pediatric dental treatment and may contribute to optimizing behavior management strategies in clinical practice.

Our aim was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the ONSD, ODE, and crescent sign, as detected by POCUS, in identifying the clinical and radiological features of increased intracranial pressure.

Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the gum tissue and alveolar bone destruction, and is known to be associated with various systemic diseases. Hyperuricemia, on the other hand, is a metabolic condition characterized by increased serum uric acid levels and can affect inflammation, oxidative stress, and bone metabolism. In recent years, the relationship between hyperuricemia and periodontal diseases has been increasingly investigated, but the biological mechanisms of this relationship have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between hyperuricemia and periodontitis and to reveal the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of this relationship, which are shaped by inflammation, oxidative stress, and bone metabolism. A total of 80 individuals aged 18-65 years will be included in this clinical observational study. The periodontal status of the participants will be assessed using clinical periodontal parameters such as probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding on probing. Participants will be divided into four groups according to their periodontal status and the presence of hyperuricemia: individuals with periodontitis and hyperuricemia, individuals with periodontally healthy and hyperuricemia, individuals with periodontitis but without hyperuricemia, and individuals with periodontally healthy and without hyperuricemia. Gingival crevicular fluid and serum samples will be taken from the participants. In these samples, receptor-mediated nuclear factor kappa B ligand, osteoprotegerin, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-10, interleukin-18, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 levels will be analyzed. This study is considered unique because it examines the relationship between hyperuricemia and periodontitis by evaluating inflammation, oxidative stress, and bone metabolism parameters together.

This study aimed to determine the effect of anti-inflammatory nutrition on non-surgical periodontal treatment in individuals with periodontitis by evaluating gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum biomarkers and clinical periodontal parameters. A total of 100 volunteers identified as having a pro-inflammatory diet (Q3 and Q4) will be included in the study. Individuals will be assigned to two groups. These groups will then be further divided into two groups based on whether or not they will receive anti-inflammatory nutrition education. Group Q3-1 (n=25) will receive non-surgical periodontal treatment and anti-inflammatory nutrition education. Group Q3-2 (n=25) will receive only non-surgical periodontal treatment. Group Q4-1 (n=25) will receive non-surgical periodontal treatment and anti-inflammatory nutrition education. Group Q4-2 (n=25) will receive only non-surgical periodontal treatment. After the periodontal index measurements are completed, the patients will receive non-surgical periodontal treatment. GCF and serum samples, periodontal clinical parameters and Dietary Inflammatory Index will be collected 3 times: at baseline, 1.5 and 3 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be assessed from these samples. This will investigate the role of anti-inflammatory nutrition in reducing periodontal inflammation and increasing treatment success.

A review of the literature revealed that while there are studies investigating the relationship between vitamin D and periodontal disease, there are no studies investigating the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D on periodontal disease. Investigators hypothesized that the increased incidence of periodontal disease in individuals with vitamin D deficiency might be due not only to pro-inflammatory effects but also to impaired bone metabolism and a decrease in the anti- inflammatory mechanism. Investigators aimed to determine this by comparing serum and DOS levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3), Receptor activator nuclear kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), Tumor Necrosis Factor Related Apoptosis induced Ligand (TRAIL), Developmental endothelial locus (Del)-1, Lipoxin, Resolvin, interleukin (IL)-10, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The study will include 120 individuals who are systemically healthy based on clinical and radiographic examinations and diagnosed with Stage I-II periodontitis, Stage III-IV periodontitis, chronic gingivitis, and periodontally healthy. Periodontal clinical parameters (Probing pocket depth (PPD), Clinical attachment level (CAL), Bleeding on probing (BOP), Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI)) will be recorded three times: before treatment, and 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples will be collected from participants at baseline and 12 weeks later for biochemical analysis.

The goal of this observational study is to examine the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontitis, and to evaluate the role of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) in this association. The main question it aims to answer is: Does a pro-inflammatory diet, as measured by the DII, increase the risk or severity of periodontitis in individuals with metabolic syndrome? Participants will include adults who meet the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome. Their periodontal health will be assessed through standard clinical parameters, and dietary data will be collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire to calculate individual DII scores. The study will observe and analyze these factors to explore potential links between diet-induced inflammation, systemic metabolic health, and periodontal outcomes.

The goal of this observational study is to examine the potential relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and the presence of dental caries and periodontal disease, and to evaluate the role of the Ultra-Processed Food Index (UPFI) in this association. The main question it aims to answer is: Does increased consumption of ultra-processed foods raise the risk or severity of dental caries and periodontal disease in individuals? Participants will include individuals within a specified age range who voluntarily agree to participate in the study. Oral health status will be assessed through standard clinical parameters, including the presence of caries, plaque index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Dietary habits will be evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and individual UPFI scores will be calculated. The study will aim to observe and analyze the effects of ultra-processed food consumption on oral health outcomes.

The goal of this observational study is to investigate the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and periodontitis, and to evaluate the potential mediating role of dietary inflammatory potential, measured by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), in this association. The main question it aims to answer is: Does a pro-inflammatory diet, as reflected by a higher DII score, exacerbate periodontal inflammation in individuals with chronic kidney disease? Participants will include adults diagnosed with CKD at various stages. Periodontal status will be assessed through clinical parameters such as probing depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Dietary intake will be evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and DII scores will be calculated accordingly. The study will aim to observe and analyze whether dietary inflammation contributes to increased periodontal disease severity in CKD patients, potentially offering insight into modifiable risk factors relevant to both systemic and oral health.

This study aims to examine the potential of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a systemic, inflammatory disease, to influence the relationship between periodontal inflammatory surface area (PISA) and diabetes and obesity parameters. The primary question addressed by the study is: Can PISA be used as a significant parameter in the relationship between periodontal disease and MetS? In this context, the relationship between PISA and periodontal clinical parameters and serum parameters directly related to the diagnosis of MetS will be examined.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of Th17 cell-associated cytokines (IL-17, IL-21, IL-23) and the salivary stress biomarkers cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and Chromogranin A in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease in individuals with psoriasis, thereby revealing immunological and neuroendocrine interactions. The fundamental question it aims to answer is: What are the biological mechanisms that may increase the risk of periodontal disease in individuals with psoriasis? In this context, the periodontal status of individuals with psoriasis will be clinically assessed, followed by analysis of the levels of Th17-associated cytokines and stress biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva samples. Additionally, patients will be asked questions from the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale. The periodontal status of individuals with psoriasis will be determined cross-sectionally, and the resulting biomarker levels will be examined. In addition, the data obtained will be evaluated with statistical analysis in relation to disease severity and clinical parameters.

The goal of this observational study is to examine the potential relationship between the severity of orthodontic malocclusion and the risk of developing periodontitis in individuals by evaluating salivary and gingival crevicular levels of RANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and oxidative stress biomarkers. The main question it aims to answer is: Does increasing severity of orthodontic malocclusion contribute to a higher risk of periodontitis through changes in RANKL/OPG balance and oxidative stress levels? Participants with different levels of tooth misalignment (malocclusion) will be examined to assess the condition of their teeth and gums. During this examination, information such as dental plaque, gum bleeding, and the depth of gum pockets will be recorded. In addition, fluid samples collected from the gums will be tested in the laboratory to measure certain biological substances and chemical markers related to the body's balance between harmful and protective effects. These measurements will be done using special laboratory tests.

The aim of this observational study is to evaluate the relationship between the severity of orthodontic malocclusion and psychophysiological stress levels in individuals aged 12 to 18 years. The study will investigate the association between malocclusion severity and both stress-related salivary biomarkers and psychosocial factors. The primary research question is as follows: As the severity of orthodontic malocclusion increases, do levels of salivary stress biomarkers (cortisol, DHEA, and chromogranin A), self-esteem, and social appearance anxiety significantly change in adolescent individuals? Method: The study will include participants between the ages of 12 and 18. The severity of malocclusion will be assessed through clinical examination. Psychological assessments will be conducted using structured questionnaires to measure self-esteem and social appearance anxiety. In addition, saliva samples collected in the morning will be analyzed using the ELISA method to determine levels of cortisol, DHEA, and chromogranin A (CgA). The data will be statistically analyzed to identify the potential relationship between orthodontic malocclusion and biological and psychosocial indicators of stress.