A randomised control clinical trial of two dental bridges replacing teeth, comparing the two designs, looking at the aesthetics and failure rate of these designs

ISRCTN ISRCTN33433524
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN33433524
Secondary identifying numbers 2018-4679 UOB
Submission date
15/07/2019
Registration date
22/07/2019
Last edited
22/03/2021
Recruitment status
Suspended
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Digestive System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Patients attending Bristol Dental Hospital for tooth replacement for reasons such as hypodontia (missing teeth) or trauma are currently treated using a Bristol bridge. The Bristol bridge is a type of metal framed resin retained bridge (RRB) in which the pontic (the ‘false tooth’) is bonded to an adjacent tooth/teeth via a metal frame and composite resin. The metal frame (retainer) acts as a connector between the adjacent tooth and the false tooth and extends behind the false tooth and wraps around the incisal edge (tip of the tooth). While the majority of the metal is invisible as it is hidden behind the false tooth and supporting tooth, when the patient smiles, if the bridge is on the anterior (front) teeth the portion of metal at the incisal edge may be visible or cause changes to the translucency of the incisal edge resulting in a small grey flash appearance. At review appointments some patients say that this change in their appearance is upsetting, and in a previous study the metal of the retainer was reported to be the most common reason for patient dissatisfaction with their RRB. The Bristol bridge can be adjusted to reduce the visibility of the metal edge of the bridge, but it will always be apparent. When the Bristol bridge was designed it was deemed necessary for the metal to extend right to the tip of the bridge to improve its longevity, however with improved bonding materials and better fit of bridges due to the use Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) it should now be possible to redesign the bridge with a reduced extension such that aesthetics are not compromised. This study aims to determine if changes to the current RRB design can improve aesthetic outcomes without adversely affecting failure rates.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 11 years or above who require tooth bridging (missing tooth replacement)

What does the study involve?
Patients attend the Bristol Dental Hospital 3 times in approximately 4 months
· Screening visit: 15 minutes.
· Impression visit: 30 minutes
· Bridge fit visit: 2 x 30 minutes with an hour between on same day
Patients complete two questionnaires (one after screening and one after the bridge fit) about how their missing tooth affects everyday things, like eating.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
With any bridge, there is a risk it may come loose. Approximately, 20% of bridges can come loose or have other problems (such as being knocked out, chipping of the ceramic false tooth, or poor teeth cleaning at home) within 5 years. We do not anticipate this to be different in the adjusted bridge design to the one currently used. If the bridge does have any problems then you should tell your dentist who will let us know so that we can fix it. All procedures will be carried out by experienced and appropriately qualified personnel using standard techniques.
We cannot say whether the adjusted adhesive bridge design will look better than the standard bridge design currently used or last as long, but the results of this study will help determine whether the new adhesive bridge design could be of benefit to patients in the future.

Where is the study run from?
University of Bristol Dental Hospital, UK

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2019 to August 2020

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded

Who is the main contact?
1. Claire Forbes-Haley
claire.forbeshaley@uhbristol.nhs.uk
2. Emma MacDonald
e.l.macdonald@bristol.ac.uk

Contact information

Miss Claire Forbes-Haley
Scientific

Bristol Dental Hospital
Lower Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS1 2LY
United Kingdom

Phone +44(0)1173424774
Email claire.forbeshaley@uhbristol.nhs.uk
Ms Emma MacDonald
Public

Periodontology
Dental Clinical Trials Unit
Bristol Dental Hospital and School
Lower Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS1 2LY
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)117 342 9638
Email e.l.macdonald@bristol.ac.uk
Dr Maria Davies
Public

Bristol Dental School
Lower Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS1 2LY
United Kingdom

Phone +44 0117 342 9503
Email Maria.Davies@bristol.ac.uk

Study information

Study designSingle centre interventional randomised control trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA randomised clinical trial to determine the aesthetic outcomes of two designs of resin-retained bridge designs
Study objectivesChanges to the current resin-retained bridge design can improve aesthetic outcomes without adversely affecting failure rates
Ethics approval(s)Approved 04/07/2019, HRA and Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) (Health Research Authority, Ground Floor, Skipton House, SE1 6LH; +44 (0) 207104 8202; NRESCommittee.SECoast-BrightonandSussex@nhs.net), ref: 19/LO/0618
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDental, missing teeth
InterventionSingle centre interventional randomised control trial looking to compare the aesthetic outcomes of the current and adjusted design resin-retained bridge after bridge fit. To determine if dentists, patients with hypodontia and patients attending for other routine dental treatment have similar views about the aesthetics of the two different bridge types. To assess the failure of the adjusted design of resin-retained bridge after 18 months.

Participants who successfully fulfil all the necessary entrance criteria will be enrolled in the study and sent a link to an electronic copy of the questionnaire on quality of life with regards to oral health OHIP 14, which they will be asked to complete pre-treatment. A paper copy can be provided if required. Study participants will then be randomised to receive either bridge design A or B according to a predetermined computerise randomization schedule. A photograph of the treatment site will be taken together with an impression for working models.
A: Standard incisal edge overlap metal wing design using CADCAM (to reduce technician variation)
B: No incisal edge overlap lap wing design using CADCAM

Further treatment appointments:
At the second appointment, the resin retained bridge (A or B) will be placed and clinical photographs taken. Clinical photos will be taken using the same camera with standardised settings. The two treatment procedures in full, including those outlined in ‘screening appointment’ above, are shown below:
Treatment procedure A
-Impression for working models, clinic photos, screening clinical assessments and QoL
-Plain radiograph of pontic site and surrounding teeth. If required, many patients will have these radiographs already
-Fit of resin retained bridge, current design, using Panavia F and clinical photos
-Patient groups and GDP assessment of aesthetics of RRB cases
-QoL and aesthetic questionnaires
-18 months after bridge placement, review the number of failures reported
Treatment procedure B
-Impression for working models, clinic photos, screening clinical assessments and QoL
-Plain radiograph of pontic site and surrounding teeth. . If required, many patients will have these radiographs already.
-Fit of resin retained bridge, adjusted design, using Panavia F and clinical photos
-Patient groups and GDP assessment of aesthetics of RRB cases.
-QoL and aesthetic questionnaires.
-18 months after bridge placement, review the number of failures reported

One month after resin bridge fit the patient will be sent a link to an electronic version of the questionnaire on quality of life with regards to oral health (OHIP 14). After bridge fit the participant will have standard review with their general dentist every six months as is routine with this type of treatment.

Data on failure rates are reported by GDPs – treatment of failures will follow normal procedures. If any treatment fails, a clinician will reassess the patient, and treat appropriately according to the clinical findings, following standard practice for treatment failure at the dental hospital.

Aesthetic image assessment:
Randomly selected participants will be used for completion of the questionnaire, consisting of three different groups;
1. Patients visiting the dental hospital for routine treatments other than tooth replacement
2. Patients from the hypodontia clinic
3. Dentists at Bristol Dental Hospital
Will complete the aesthetic questionnaire. This will consist of anonymised images of the RRB cases, 5 from group A and 5 from group B.
For each image participants will be asked to respond to the following question:
Please rate 1-5 overall attractiveness. (1-Very unattractive, 2-Unattractive, 3-Neither attractive nor unattractive, 4-Attractive, 5-Very attractive).
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureThe aesthetic outcomes of the current and adjusted design resin-retained bridge after bridge fit using the aesthetic assessment questionnaire at least four weeks after bridge fit
Secondary outcome measures1. Quality of life measured using OHIP 14 at baseline and at least four weeks after bridge fit
2. Views of dentists, patients with hypodontia and patients attending BDH for other routine treatment about the aesthetics of the two different bridge types measured using GDP aesthetic questionnaires at least four weeks after bridge fit
3. The failure of the adjusted design of resin-retained bridge after 18 months measured by review of patient records.
Overall study start date13/08/2018
Completion date04/12/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
SexBoth
Target number of participants40
Total final enrolment40
Key inclusion criteria1. Consent: Demonstrates understanding of the study and willingness to participate as evidenced by voluntary written informed consent and has received a signed and dated copy of the informed consent form
2. Compliance: Understands and is willing, able and likely to comply with all study procedures
3. General Health: Good general health with (in the opinion of the investigator) no clinically significant and relevant abnormalities of medical history on oral examination
4. Oral Cavity, participants must:
4.1 Have at least one missing tooth, bounded by teeth, which is a single unit in the front of the mouth, being either an incisor or canine (UR123 UL123 LR123 LL123).
4.2 Have teeth that can be used as abutments (for attachment of the RRB) that are unrestored and without pathology
4.3 Be able to accommodate a pontic tooth replacement restoration
4.4 Have no more than mild tooth wear with Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) score of 1 or less (Bartlett et al 2008) with no history of parafunctional habits
5. Have good oral hygiene with:
5.1 Full mouth Turesky plaque index score <1 (Turesky et al 1970)
5.2 Basic Periodontal Exam (BPE) scores of 0, 1, 2. With a maximum of one sextant with a score of 3.
6. Aged 11 years or older
Key exclusion criteria1. Current or recurrent disease/dental pathology that could affect bridge treatment
2. Bleeding disorders
3. Immuno-compromised.
4. Current or relevant previous history of serious, severe or unstable physical or psychiatric illness, or any medical disorder that may require treatment or make the participant unlikely to fully complete the study, or any condition that presents undue risk from the study products or procedures
5. Known or suspected intolerance or sensitivity to the study materials (or closely related compounds) or any of their stated ingredients
6. Any medication which in the investigators opinion may interfere with the study
7. Participation in another clinical study or receipt of an investigational drug within 10 days of the screening visit
8. Recent history of alcohol or other substance abuse
9. Any patient who, in the judgement of the investigator, should not participate in the study
Date of first enrolment27/08/2019
Date of final enrolment27/06/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University of Bristol Dental Hospital
Lower Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS1 2LY
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Bristol
University/education

Secretary’s Office
Beacon House
Queens Avenue
Bristol
BS8 1QU
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44(0)117 3941821
Email mo19141@bristol.ac.uk
Website http://www.bristol.ac.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/0524sp257

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date04/12/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in repository
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe anonymised participant data (questionnaire data) generated during the current study will be shared once the data has been published and will be stored in the publicly available University of Bristol Research Data Repository (https://data.bris.ac.uk/data/) with a DOI maintained for a minimum of 20 years. Data will be made available as restricted access to bonafide researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal and evidence of ethical approval (if required), subject to the agreement of the University of Bristol Data Access Committee for analysis to achieve aims in the approved proposal.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

22/03/2021: IPD sharing statement added.
06/07/2020: Total final enrolment number added.
04/05/2020: The intention to publish date has been changed from 27/01/2021 to 04/12/2022.
01/05/2020: The public contact has been added.
17/04/2020: Due to current public health guidance, recruitment for this study has been paused.
16/07/2019: Trial’s existence confirmed by NHS HRA.