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NCT Number: NCT03445286

Silver Diamine Fluoride and Gingivitis in Geriatric Patients

Gingivitis in the geriatric population is one of the growing global public health concerns, thus finding the most effective and non-invasive approach to prevent and treat gingivitis in the geriatric population is essential to prevent tooth loss and maintain oral health and function. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is Class II medical device. It was cleared for use in US August 2014 and became commercially available in April 2015. It is a chemical agent which has bifunctional properties. The silver itself kills caries causing bacteria directly. Silver and fluoride together interact to form fluorapatite, in addition, assist in hardening the teeth and preventing further demineralization.

Even though SDF has been approved in dental caries prevention and treatment, there are no published studies or evidence that evaluated the direct effect of SDF on gingivitis. If SDF improves or prevents gingivitis is unknown. The main goal of this clinical study is to investigate the effect of SDF on gingival status in geriatric patients with gingivitis. There is an urgent need to solve this common oral disease in the geriatric population. The logic for this research in a geriatric population is to find the most effective approach to treat gingivitis to prevent tooth loss and maintain oral health and function.

To find an effective approach to treat gingivitis in the geriatric group, we will investigate the effectiveness of SDF application on gingival tissues in this group. The patients with gingivitis will be randomly allocated to two groups: group1(case group) will receive SDF application and group 2 (control group) will receive a normal saline application. The gingiva will be evaluated for both groups at baseline before the application. Then 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the last application of the intervention. In addition, a sample of plaque will be taken from the teeth selected in this study by swab using the dental kit (Ubiome) before and after both applications to quantify the presence of bacterial pathogen at baseline and follow up visits. The feasibility of this proposed therapy is supported by published literature that has shown that SDF was effective in dental and root caries prevention and treatment in geriatric patients.

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Key information

Conditions

Gingivitis Gingival Diseases Infections Mouth Diseases Periodontal Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases

Age range

65 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dickinson Place (Seniors Independent Living), Dallas, Texas, United States

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About this study

The Aims

  • Aim 1 To investigate the effect of SDF application on gingival status in elder patients with gingivitis. To accomplish this aim, the subjects with gingivitis will be randomly allocated to two groups: group 1(case group) will receive SDF application and group 2 (control group) will receive Normal Saline. The SDF and normal saline will apply on the selected teeth with gingivitis once a week during a three-week period. The gingival status will be evaluated at baseline before the application of either SDF or normal saline. Then at the second week and fourth week after the final application. The measurable outcomes will be Plaque Index (PI) and the Gingival Index (GI). In addition, record of existing brushing and flossing habits. If SDF application shows an improvement in the gingival condition (reduction in the plaque and gingival indices) in treatment group comparing to the control group it indicates that its effectiveness not only on dental caries as published, but it is also may extended to include gingivitis.
  • Aim 2 To quantify the presence of bacterial pathogen in the dental biofilm. To accomplish this aim, a sample of dental plaque will be taken from the teeth selected in this study by swab using the dental kit (Ubiome) before and after the SDF or normal saline application to quantify the presence of bacterial pathogen at baseline before the application, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the application.

Summary:

The proposed therapeutic intervention of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) in treating geriatric patients with gingivitis will establish a new adjunctive and inexpensive protocol for treatment of gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of gingival tissues caused by dental biofilm bacterial infection. Left untreated, gingivitis will cause tooth loss. The preliminary results will provide new recommendations for treating geriatric patients in a safe, effective, and low-cost manner. This study will also address the gap in scientific knowledge regarding the use of SDF to treat gingivitis in elderly patients.

Research Hypothesis: The application of SDF varnish is expected to improve the gingival condition and can be an effective approach in the treatment of gingivitis in geriatric patients.

Null Hypothesis: The application of SDF varnish does not improve the gingival condition and cannot be an effective approach in the treatment of gingivitis in geriatric patients.

Research Question: Does the application of silver Diamine Fluoride on teeth with gingivitis will improve the gingival condition in geriatric patients with gingivitis

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age group 65 years and older
  • Males and females
  • Minimum of 6 remaining teeth with gingivitis (at least one posterior tooth should be present)
  • Every participant should agree to not brush or floss three days prior the data collection
  • Every participant should agree to not use any mouthwash or Fluoride treatment for the entire study period
  • All socioeconomic status included

Exclusion criteria

  • Active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • Known history of allergy to Silver Particles
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Use of antibiotics in the last three months
  • Periodontal therapy in the last 3 months
  • Mouth rinse such as Chlorhexidine (CHX) at least 30 days prior to the study
  • Smoking
  • Epileptic patients on medication cause gingival overgrowth
  • Patients who are unable to give consent
  • Teeth with periodontitis

Treatment and study plan

Silver diamine fluoride

Device

Silver Diamine Fluoride (Advantage Arrest) for the experimental group

Other names: Advantage Arrest

Normal Saline

Other

Normal Saline for the control group

Primary outcomes

  1. The change in Gingival Index GI (for Gingival Inflammation)

    Time frame: Assessment of the change from the baseline at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the final application of either Silver Diamine Fluoride or Chlorhexidine

    The change in Gingival Index GI (for Gingival Inflammation) from Baseline before the application of either Silver Diamine Fluoride or Chlorhexidine and at two weeks and four weeks after the final application of either Silver Diamine Fluoride or Chlorhexidine

  2. The change in Plaque Index PI (for dental plaque accumulation)

    Time frame: Assessment of the change from the baseline at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the final application of either Silver Diamine Fluoride or Chlorhexidine

    The change in Plaque Index PI (for dental plaque accumulation) from baseline before the application of either Silver Diamine Fluoride or Chlorhexidine and at two weeks and four weeks after the final application of either Silver Diamine Fluoride or Chlorhexidine

Secondary outcomes

  1. Assessment of microbial counts in Dental Plaque

    Time frame: Three times evaluation at baseline before the application of the intervention, then at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the final application of either Silver Diamine Fluoride or Chlorhexidine

    Dental Plaque sample taken from each participant, labeled and send to the lab for analysis of bacterial counts (using Ubiome dental kit)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Texas A & M University Baylor College Of Dentistry

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride on the Treatment of Gingivitis in Geriatric Patients

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Feb 26, 2018
Registry last updated
Oct 8, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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