Evaluation of Taste Sensation Changes During Fixed Orthodontic Treatment

NCT06989736 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2015-KAEK-79-23-10
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 128
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to determine the changes in taste perception that may occur before and after the initiation of treatment in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. A total of 128 patients from Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry, Orthodontics Clinic, were randomly selected to either a fixed orthodontic treatment group (n=64) or a control group (n=64), Taste sensation was assessed using nine solutions representing different taste modalities (sweet, salty, sour and bitter), with evaluations conducted via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before treatment and six weeks post-treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and Pearson Chi-Square test. The study found statistically significant differences in sweet taste perception between the first and second sessions in the low-dose experimental group and in bitter taste perception in the high-dose experimental group (p\<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups across all taste types and time points (p\>0.05). While orthodontic treatment resulted in some changes in sweet and bitter taste perception, no overall significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups. Increased salivary flow rate during treatment and good oral hygiene may help minimize potential effects on taste perception.

Conditions

Taste Disorders; Orthodontic Appliance Complication; Malocclusion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Taste Perception Score

  Taste perception was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) across four taste modalities (sweet, salty, sour, bitter). VAS scores (0-100) were compared between baseline and 6 weeks post-treatment.

  From baseline (pre-treatment) to 6 weeks post-treatment

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Comparison of Taste Perception Between Treatment and Control Groups

  6 weeks post-treatment

Study Arms (2)

experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

64 individuals who commenced fixed orthodontic treatment will gargle with the 9 different taste solutions for 15 seconds and then be asked whether they perceive the taste.

Diagnostic Test: Taste Test

Control group

OTHER

Participants receiving no orthodontic treatment; monitored for taste perception at the same time intervals.

Diagnostic Test: Taste Test

Interventions

Taste Test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants received nine solutions (tasteless, sweet, salty, sour, and bitter; each in two concentrations) before treatment and six weeks later.

Control group; experimental group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 19 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 10 and 19 years
• Applied to the Orthodontics Clinic at Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry
• Provided written informed consent (or assent with guardian consent if under 18)
• Randomized to either fixed orthodontic treatment or control group

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of systemic disease
• Current smoker
• Using medications known to affect taste (e.g., captopril, fluoxetine hydrochloride, sulfadoxine)
• Diagnosed with salivary gland disorders
• Presence of any pathology that may cause dry mouth (xerostomia)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Biruni University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry Department of orthodontic

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Kuru Kaygun S, Konca Tasova FA. Effects of fixed orthodontic treatment on taste perception: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Oral Investig. 2025 Dec 19;30(1):17. doi: 10.1007/s00784-025-06714-6.

  PMID: 41417250 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Taste Disorders; Malocclusion

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Study Officials

• Fatma Asli Konca Taşova, DDS, PhD

  Uskudar University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD student

Model Details: Participants were assigned to either a fixed orthodontic treatment group or a no-treatment control group in parallel, and taste perception changes were compared between these groups over time.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 13, 2025
• First Posted: May 25, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2025
• Study Completion: February 15, 2025
• Last Updated: May 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)