Periodontitis is gum disease that destroys the bone and tissue supporting teeth, affecting nearly half of adults over 30 in some form. Standard treatment involves deep cleaning, sometimes surgery, and meticulous home care. Research now focuses on understanding why some people develop severe disease while others don't, and whether treating gum inflammation can reduce risks of heart disease and diabetes.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing whether anti-inflammatory drugs used for other conditions can slow gum destruction, how altering the mouth's bacterial community affects disease progression, and whether new regenerative materials can rebuild lost bone. Studies also examine links between periodontitis and systemic diseases like cardiovascular disease, with some testing whether treating gums improves other health outcomes.
Host modulation therapy
Trials test whether drugs that calm the body's inflammatory response—like low-dose doxycycline or omega-3 fatty acids—can slow bone loss when added to standard cleaning. The goal is to address why the immune system damages gums, not just remove bacteria.
Microbiome approaches
Studies examine whether specific probiotics or antimicrobial peptides can shift the mouth's bacterial community toward a healthier balance. This differs from antibiotics by trying to encourage beneficial bacteria rather than killing all bacteria.
Bone regeneration
Trials test growth factors, stem cell-based products, and bone graft materials that aim to regrow bone destroyed by periodontitis. Some involve proteins like enamel matrix derivative applied during surgery.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on disease severity (measured by pocket depth and bone loss), number of teeth remaining, smoking status, and whether you have diabetes or other inflammatory conditions.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new medications, probiotics, or antimicrobials added to standard cleaning to see if they reduce pocket depth or bone loss better than cleaning alone.
- Regenerative trials — Testing materials and growth factors applied during gum surgery to rebuild lost bone and attachment around teeth.
- Prevention trials — Testing whether specific rinses, probiotics, or anti-inflammatory approaches prevent periodontitis in people at high risk.
- Device trials — Testing lasers, photodynamic therapy, or ultrasonic instruments as alternatives or additions to traditional scaling and root planing.
- Observational studies — Following people with periodontitis to understand what factors predict who develops severe disease and how gum disease relates to diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy outcomes.
Recently added Periodontitis trials
To Evaluate and Compare the Effect of Orthograde and Retrograde MTA Root End Filling After Periapical Surgery in Posteriors
To evaluate and compare the effect of orthograde and retrograde MTA root end filling on clinical, 2D and 3D radiographic success and quality of life after periapical surgery in posteriors- A Randomised Control Trial
Donate saliva and tissue samples to study gum disease
This cross-sectional observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between boron levels and oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and inflammatory markers in individuals with periodontitis. The study will include systemically healthy, non-smoking individuals divided into two groups: periodontally healthy controls and patients with Stage III-IV periodontitis. Boron levels and selected oxidative stress, antioxidant, and inflammatory biomarkers will be evaluated in saliva and gingival tissue samples. The findings will be compared between the groups to investigate the potential relationship between boron levels and periodontal inflammation and oxidative stress.
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