Measuring bite force to understand dental pain
Exploring a Neuropathic Basis for Acute Pulpal Pain- a Clinical Pilot
This study is testing how strong people's bite is when they have dental pain to see if it can help improve pain management and reduce the need for opioids during dental treatments.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 112 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 89 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, New Jersey) |
| Trial ID | NCT06843525 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to quantify the bite force in patients experiencing dental pain due to conditions like irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis. By using the FDA-approved Innobyte® device, the study seeks to validate neuropathic mechanisms such as mechanical allodynia and central sensitization as therapeutic targets. The goal is to improve pain assessment and support the use of non-opioid pain medications, potentially reducing reliance on opioids in emergency settings. The study focuses on individuals receiving dental treatments for lower molars and aims to provide insights that could benefit underserved populations with limited access to dental care.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who require dental fillings or root canal treatments on lower molars and can provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients who are prisoners, children, pregnant women, or those with cognitive disabilities will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better pain management strategies for dental patients, reducing the need for opioid medications.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies exploring non-opioid pain management in dental settings have shown promise, indicating potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals who present for * a lower 1st or 2nd molar filling in an otherwise healthy tooth, i.e., does not have large decay that has already infected the nerve of the tooth, or there is increased mobility due to gum disease or a root canal treatment on a lower molar tooth and there is no history of injury to the tooth, or * a lower molar root canal treatment, and * are 18 years or older * capable of providing informed consent, are eligible to participate in the study, as long as they satisfy the criteria below. * The opposing tooth is present, symptom-free and has adequate tooth structure that allows it to make contact with the tooth it bites against, and * are English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Any patient, even if satisfying the criteria above, may not take part if any of the below is true: * Compromised ability to guard their self-interest, for e.g., prisoners, children, pregnant women, patients with intellectual/cognitive disability are not enrolled in the study. * Take prescription pain medications for long-standing health conditions * Addiction/ substance dependence * Swelling that extends beyond the tooth in question * Are already taking an antibiotic to treat an infection/swelling * Missing complementary molar on the same or opposite side of the mouth * Missing more than 2 teeth in a quadrant (other than 3rd molars) * Any other molar in the pair either on the side of the tooth of interest or the molar pair on the other side is painful to biting pressure or upon 'tapping' the tooth with the handle of the mouth mirror * The patient has taken a pain medication within the last 6 hours
Where this trial is running
Newark, New Jersey
- Rutgers School of Dental Medicine — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Varvara Vanessa Chrepa, DDS, MS, PhD — Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gayathri D Subramanian, PhD, DMD
- Email: subramga@sdm.rutgers.edu
- Phone: 973 972 3418
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.