Evaluating pain perception and compliance with air-polishing for dental implants

Efficacy of Air-polishing on Pain Perception and Compliance Rate to Periodontal/Peri-implant Maintenance Therapy: a 2-year Follow-up Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Not applicable Interventional Universitat Internacional de Catalunya · NCT06109701

This study is testing a new air-polishing method using erythritol during dental check-ups for implants to see if it causes less pain and helps patients stick to their treatment better than traditional cleaning methods.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment38 (estimated)
Ages21 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversitat Internacional de Catalunya Academic / other
Locations1 site (Sant Cugat Del Vallès, Barcelona)
Trial IDNCT06109701 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an erythritol-based air-polishing method during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for patients with dental implants. It will evaluate patient-reported outcomes regarding pain and discomfort during SPT visits, comparing traditional ultrasonic methods to the air-polishing technique. The study will also investigate how these methods affect compliance rates over a two-year period. By understanding factors influencing patient adherence to SPT, the study seeks to enhance the overall patient experience and improve treatment outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include partially edentulous patients with at least one stable dental implant and a history of treated periodontal disease.

Not a fit: Patients with fibromyalgia or those on medications affecting pain perception, such as opioids, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved patient comfort and higher compliance rates for dental implant maintenance, ultimately reducing the incidence of peri-implantitis.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in the area of dental implant maintenance, this specific approach using erythritol-based air-polishing is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Partially edentulous patients, rehabilitated with at least one dental implant in the maxilla or mandible with at least 3 years of function;
* No implant mobility;
* Treated periodontal disease;
* Non-smoker or light smoking status in smokers (\<10 cigarettes/day).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with diagnosed fibromyalgia disorder or who are taking drugs that might influence the perception of pain (i.e., opioids, gabapentin) will be excluded from the study (Alcalde et al. 2017).

Where this trial is running

Sant Cugat Del Vallès, Barcelona

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Peri-ImplantitisPeri-implant MucositisPeri-implantitispreventionperi-implant mucositispain perception
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.