Clinical trials

This study examines the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) protocols based on mindfulness as a nonpharmacological approach to reduce social anxiety among adolescents. Conducted as a non-randomized, controlled, multi-center trial, the research aims to provide evidence supporting the integration of VR mindfulness interventions into clinical practice to improve mental health and well-being among adolescents. The research focuses on adolescent patients aged 12 to 18 who present with anxiety-related symptoms. Each participant will undergo a single primary care consultation, during which they will experience a 15-20 minute VR session using the Healthy Mind® platform both before and after their clinical encounter. Participants will be screened with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale. To measure changes in anxiety levels, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) will be administered immediately before and after the VR sessions. This setup aims to assess the immediate impact of immersive VR on perceived anxiety in a real-world outpatient environment.

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the accuracy of two denture impression techniques, digital intraoral scanning and conventional border-molded impressions, in adults who have lost all their teeth (fully edentulous patients). The main questions it aims to answer are: Is a digital intraoral scan as accurate as a conventional impression for capturing the shape of the mouth, including movable gum areas? Are repeated digital scans consistent (precise) when taken multiple times on the same patient? Researchers will compare digital impressions taken with an intraoral scanner to conventional impressions made with custom trays and border molding to see if digital scans can match the accuracy of the traditional "gold standard" method. Participants will: Attend Dubai Dental Hospital for two study visits. Have their mouth scanned three times using a digital intraoral scanner. Have a conventional impression taken using a custom tray and high-accuracy material after border molding. Provide informed consent and allow their impression data to be analyzed for accuracy.

A stable band of keratinized mucosa (KM) around dental implants is thought to minimize tissue recession and provide resistance against mechanical, chemical, and microbial challenges, thereby preserving peri-implant tissue health. Soft tissue augmentation is often employed to enhance the soft tissue phenotype in such cases. While autogenous grafts such as free gingival grafts (FGG) remain the gold standard, xenogeneic collagen matrices (XCM) have emerged as promising alternatives, offering reduced patient morbidity and surgical time. This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the clinical efficacy and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of XCM versus FGG for soft tissue phenotype modification when performed during healing abutment connection around dental implants, with evaluations at both short-term (6 months) and long-term (1 and 2 years) intervals. Thirty participants will be recruited at Dubai Health Dental Hospital and randomly assigned to receive either XCM (test) or FGG (control) augmentation. Clinical assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T2w), and at 1 (T1), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), 12 (T12), and 24 (T24) months post-surgery. The primary outcome is the change in KM width, measured from the mucosal margin to the mucogingival junction. Secondary outcomes include KM thickness, supracrestal tissue height, and soft tissue dimensional changes, assessed using intraoral scans (Trios 5) and superimposed STL files. Additional measurements include peri-implant soft tissue level and phenotype. PROMs will be recorded in the first postoperative week and at the 3-year mark using a visual analog scale (VAS). Clinical indices such as plaque index, bleeding index, and probing depth will be evaluated at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Marginal bone level changes and implant survival rates will also be tracked throughout the study period.

The current study aims to evaluate the accuracy of different techniques used to record the centric relation. The sample size was determined based on a previous study by Revilla-León et al. (2023), which indicated that 18 participants per group would provide sufficient power for statistical analysis. Eligible participants will be adults above 18 years of age with good oral health who are fully or partially dentate. Exclusion criteria include complete edentulism, absence of posterior stops, temporomandibular joint disorders, and limited mouth opening. Centric relation (CR) will be recorded for all participants using three methods. In Group 1 (Conventional), a 2 mm Lucia jig fabricated from pattern resin (Dura-lay) will be positioned intraorally with the participant reclined at 45°. Polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) bite registration material will be injected bilaterally from the canines to first molars and allowed to set. Alginate impressions, facebow records, and subsequent mounting on a semi-adjustable articulator will be performed, and the casts will be digitized with a laboratory scanner. In Group 2 (Intraoral Scanner), the iTero Element scanner (Align Technology, San Jose, CA) will be used to capture maxillary and mandibular arches. The same Lucia jig will be placed intraorally, and the bite will be digitally captured using the PVS record. In Group 3 (Optical Jaw Tracking), the Modjaw system will be used with previously acquired iTero scans. The Lucia jig will again standardize mandibular position during CR registration. All recordings will be performed by a single experienced prosthodontist to ensure consistency. For accuracy assessment, STL files from all recordings will be imported into Geomagic Control X (3D Systems). Six digital markers will be placed on maxillary and mandibular reference scans at standardized anatomical landmarks (buccal surfaces of first molars, canines, and central incisors). Thirty-six baseline inter-landmark distances will be calculated. Each experimental scan will then be aligned to the reference scan using a best-fit alignment protocol, with marker coordinates transferred from the reference scan to maintain consistency and avoid manual errors. Inter-landmark distances will be recalculated for each experimental scan. Accuracy will be assessed in terms of trueness (mean absolute deviation between reference and experimental measurements) and precision (consistency of distances within each group). Data will be statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), with significance set at p \< 0.05.

15 Patients requiring complete dentures will be recruited from Dubai Health. Each patient will receive two sets of dentures with a washout period between sets. Patients will remain blinded to the fabrication method used for each set. * Group 1: Participants will first receive conventionally fabricated dentures for both the upper and lower jaws. This set will be made using traditional techniques, including impressions, a custom tray, jaw relation recording, try-in, and final fitting. After the washout period, they will receive a second set created with the 3D-printed technique. * Group 2: Participants in this group will initially receive 3D-printed complete dentures through a digital workflow, which involves intraoral scanning, STL file export, digital design, design review with the patient, 3D printing, and final fitting. Following the washout period, they will then receive a conventionally fabricated set.

Standard dental implants require sufficient bone and spacing, which may not be available in all patients. To address these limitations, narrow diameter implants (≤3.5 mm) have been introduced as a less invasive alternative, especially useful for medically compromised patients or those avoiding bone grafts. However, narrow implants made of pure titanium have shown long-term biological and technical concerns. The introduction of titanium-zirconium (TiZr) alloy has improved mechanical strength, and several studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes with narrow TiZr implants. Yet, evidence remains limited regarding their exclusive use in high-load posterior (molar) regions. Prior studies report conflicting failure rates, potentially linked to prosthetic design and occlusal forces, but lack quantitative analysis of bite forces or prosthetic angles. Emergence angle, prosthetic platform width, and implant-abutment connection may all influence implant stability and peri-implant tissue health. A newly introduced TorcFit™ connection may offer better stress distribution and torque resistance, but its clinical relevance-especially in narrow implants used for molars-remains untested.

Background and objectives: Primary and secondary implant stability remain the most relevant and reliable clinical indicator for long-term survival of dental implants. Hence modifications of surface characteristics and implant macro-designs were introduced over the last two decades to enhance osseointegration during the initial phase of healing. In this context, a variable-thread self-cutting implant design was recently introduced to improve primary stability. At present, there are limited number of studies that evaluated this variable-thread implant design. These studies were mostly experimental, of short duration and limited number of participants. Therefore, the aim of the present randomized controlled trial is to compare two implant designs (variable-thread versus standard) in terms of clinical, radiographic and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: A total of 24 participants, who require replacement of a posterior single tooth with dental implant, will be randomly allocated to two equal sized groups. In the test group, the participants will receive variable-thread implants, while standard implants will be placed to replace missing teeth in the control group. In addition to evaluating implant stability, the trial will also report on clinical and radiographic implant outcomes at various time points.

Patients attending Dubai Dental Hospital and requiring nonsurgical periodontal therapy will be invited to take part in the study. Potential participants will be screened and selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria The aims of the randomized controlled trial are: 1. To compare the influence of AI-generated instructions versus traditional methods in improving the oral hygiene habits of patients diagnosed with periodontitis 2. To assess the time and cost effectiveness of applying AI-generated oral hygiene instructions in daily practice 3. To evaluate the level of patients' engagement, preference, and satisfaction with technology-based interactions vs. patient-doctor interaction Research design * Prospective, in which participants will be recruited and then followed up throughout a specified period of time. * Randomized, parallel designed, concurrent controlled trial with participants randomly allocated to either control or test groups. The study will involve two stages, 1) Digital Avatar creation and 2) Clinical component. The participants will be randomly allocated to two equal sized groups (30 per group) using computer-generated numbers: Control group (C): Standard oral hygiene instructions will be given verbally by the periodontics resident. Test group (T): Avatar-based group will receive oral hygiene instructions from a digital avatar of their choice.