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Inflammation in Clear Aligners With and Without Attachments

NCT07506993 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-04-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Problem: Clear aligner therapy is widely used in orthodontics due to improved periodontal outcomes compared to fixed appliances. However, composite attachments are frequently bonded to molars to enhance biomechanics, potentially creating plaque-retentive areas that may increase localized inflammatory responses. Currently, no studies have directly compared periodontal inflammatory biomarker levels in molars treated with clear aligners with versus without attachments. This gap limits understanding of the biological impact of attachments on periodontal tissues.Hypothesis:First molars treated with clear aligners and composite attachments will demonstrate higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) compared to molars treated with clear aligners without attachments. Biomarker levels are expected to be lower in the non-attachment group. Methods: This study will include 30 orthodontic patients divided into two groups (15 per group):1. Clear aligners with molar attachments 2. Clear aligners without molar attachments. GCF samples will be collected from first molars at a routine orthodontic appointment at the UNMC College of Dentistry Graduate Orthodontic Clinic. Primary biomarkers include IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-8 measured via ELISA. Clinical periodontal parameters (Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Bleeding on Probing, Probing Depth) will also be recorded.

Conditions

  • Periodontal Inflammation

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Nebraska

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
14 Years
Max Age
25 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-01
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2027-05-01

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07506993 on ClinicalTrials.gov