Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
White spots on the front of the teeth are a potential side effect of fixed orthodontic brace treatment. The brackets, wires and bands reduce oral hygiene of tooth surfaces which can lead to plaque accumulation. This may result in mineral loss from the tooth surface which shows as a white spot on the tooth. This process is reduced or eliminated by effective oral hygiene and a suitable diet. Calcium-based toothpastes have been suggested as an approach to improve the damaged tooth surfaces. This study aims to find out about the re-mineralising abilities of calcium-based toothpastes.
Who can participate?
Male and female patients aged between 12 and 17 who are receiving orthodontic treatment at the University of Liverpool Dental Hospital, UK
What does the study involve?
A human enamel sample that has been demineralised in the lab will be prepared and split into three samples. Two will be used on the patient and one will be kept in the lab as a control. Mineral content will be measured in all the samples. The participant will have a carrier with the prepared enamel sample securely attached to the back part of the brace. Each participant is provided with the relevant toothpastes in a random order and provided information on brushing their teeth. In total two carriers will be attached to the brace with two different types of toothpastes to use. One of the regimes will involve brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes twice a day. The other regime will involve brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes twice a day in addition to a calcium-based toothpaste being applied to the teeth for 5 minutes twice a day.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefit of taking part in the study is the use of an additional toothpaste over a four-week period may help to reduce or improve areas of tooth demineralisation. The only burden to the patient will be the extra time added to their normal appointment which involves inserting and removing the sterilised enamel carrier (5 minutes). It will not affect how the brace works.
Where is the study run from?
The study will be run in the Liverpool University Dental Hospital, UK
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study is due to start in March 2014 and will last for approximately 5 months.
Who is funding the study?
University of Liverpool, UK
Who is the main contact?
Dr Norah Flannigan, nlf@liverpool.ac.uk
Prof Susan Higham
Mr Andrew Garry, andrew.garry@liverpool.ac.uk
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
CPP- ACP toothpaste trial v1.2
Study information
Scientific title
An in situ study to determine the effects of Casein PhosphoPeptide Amorphous Calcium Phosphate toothpaste in orthodontic patients
Acronym
CPP-ACP
Study hypothesis
Dental caries is the process of localised chemical dissolution affecting hard dental tissue due to metabolic events taking place within the surrounding biofilm. Organic acid production from bacterial fermentation of dietary sugars results in a shift in the dynamic balance of demineralisation-remineralisation with a net loss of tooth substance. This complex process is directly affected by the presence of microbial species, fermentable carbohydrates, fluoride ions, saliva composition and flow rate, buffering capacity and time. Other contributory secondary factors include education, social class, attitudes and behaviour.
This study will test the null hypothesis that there is no difference between the remineralising abilities of GC Tooth Mousse™ and normal fluoride toothpastes in orthodontic patients. Therefore there will be no statistically significant difference between volume mineral loss (ΔZ), lesion depth and lesion width.
Ethics approval
NRES Committee North West - Liverpool Central, REC reference: 13/NW/0742, protocol number: UoL000980, IRAS project ID: 128420
Study design
Randomized cross-over in situ study
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised cross over trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request patient, parent and child information sheets
Condition
Dental caries
Intervention
Prepared enamel lesions are placed in situ. Fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated toothpaste plus GC ToothMousse™ will be given in a random order.
Visit 1: pre-trial wash-out (4 weeks)
Routine orthodontic exam
Patient provided with standard fluoride toothpaste, toothbrush and instructions
Visit 2: treatment A (4 weeks)
Routine orthodontic exam
Carrier with enamel specimen will be attached to lower premolar region
Treatment A paste is given to patient with instructions on its use
Visit 3: mid-treatment wash-out (4 weeks)
Routine orthodontic exam
Carrier with enamel specimen removed and sent for analysis
Patient provided with the standard fluoride toothpaste and instructions
Visit 4: treatment B (4 weeks)
Routine orthodontic exam
New carrier with enamel specimen attached
Treatment B pastes given to patient with instructions on its use
Visit 5: trial competition
Routine orthodontic exam
Carrier with enamel specimen removed and sent for analysis
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Using Transvere MicroRadiography the mineral content of the enamel specimen will be carried out at baseline (before the trial begins) and then 4 weeks after being placed in the mouth. The following parameters will be analysed:
1. Mineral loss ΔZ (vol%μm)
2. Lesion depth Ld (μm) and
3. Lesion width Lw (μm)
Secondary outcome measures
After the trial has finished, using the previously collected data the percentage change in mineral loss, lesion depth and lesion width is calculated
Overall trial start date
01/03/2014
Overall trial end date
01/07/2014
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
The subjects are required:
1. To be between the ages of 12 to 17 years
2. To have adequate space between their last premolar and 1st standing molar to allow placement of the carrier on the archwire
3. To be in a suitable rigid archwire to allow placement of carrier
4. To be in good general health and oral health
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Child
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
12
Participant exclusion criteria
The subjects will be excluded if:
1. They are allergic to milk products
2. They are taking or have taken antibiotics in the last 2 months
3. Unable to maintain adequate oral hygiene
Recruitment start date
01/03/2014
Recruitment end date
01/07/2014
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Liverpool University Dental Hospital
Liverpool
L3 5PS
United Kingdom
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
University of Liverpool (UK) - DDSC bench fees fund
Alternative name(s)
Universidad de Liverpool
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
academic
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
07/02/2017: Results presented in thesis 2015 https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/203446
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
2017 results in: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28681698