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
Effect of Ultrasonic and Diode Laser Activated Irrigation on Postoperative Pain Following Root Canal Treatment
The study is designed to determine whether activation of the irrigant using ultrasonic or diode laser technology can reduce postoperative pain and influence Substance P levels compared with conventional needle irrigation. The findings may contribute to establishing evidence-based irrigation activation protocols for improving patient comfort following root canal treatment.
Characterization of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Intestinal Barrier-Related Biomarkers in Patients With Severe Periodontitis: A Pilot Prospective Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dysbiotic subgingival biofilms, inflammation, and progressive destruction of the tooth-supporting tissues. Beyond the local periodontal lesion, periodontal inflammation may contribute to systemic inflammatory burden through the dissemination of microbial products and inflammatory mediators. The oral cavity and intestinal tract are closely connected through continuous microbial exposure, swallowing of oral microorganisms, host immune pathways, and systemic circulation. Emerging evidence suggests that periodontal inflammation may be associated with alterations of the intestinal microbial environment and gut barrier function. However, the human evidence remains heterogeneous and does not currently establish a causal relationship between periodontitis and intestinal dysbiosis or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO represents an abnormal increase and/or alteration of bacterial populations in the small intestine and may be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal microbial imbalance. The occurrence of SIBO in patients with advanced periodontitis has not been adequately characterized. Consequently, determining how frequently SIBO is detected in a clinically well-characterized cohort of participants with Stage III periodontitis may provide useful exploratory data and may support future controlled studies. Alterations in the intestinal microbial environment may be accompanied by changes in intestinal barrier function and increased systemic exposure to bacterial products. Zonulin has been investigated as a biomarker related to intestinal barrier regulation, while lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), or another prespecified bacterial-exposure marker depending on the finalized laboratory assay, may provide information regarding systemic exposure to bacterial products. These biomarkers should be interpreted as indirect biological indicators rather than as direct measurements of intestinal permeability. The present study therefore approaches the oral-gut-systemic interface from an exploratory clinical perspective. It does not aim to demonstrate that periodontitis causes SIBO. Instead, it seeks to characterize the occurrence of SIBO in participants with severe periodontitis and to explore whether SIBO is accompanied by alterations in intestinal barrier-related biomarkers and systemic exposure to bacterial products. The longitudinal component will further examine whether improvement in periodontal clinical status following routine, clinically indicated periodontal therapy is accompanied by changes in SIBO status and these biological markers.
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