Influence of Re-evaluation Timing After Phase I Periodontal Therapy on Clinical and Periodontal Outcomes.

NCT07678125 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: RabeeaMDSperio
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Periodontal disease remains a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of the teeth and is a leading cause of tooth loss worldwide. Contemporary periodontal therapy is structured into sequential phases, with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) forming the cornerstone of initial management. Following this phase, re-evaluation of periodontal status is critical to determine treatment outcomes and guide further intervention, including surgical therapy if required (1,2). Re-evaluation phase serves multiple purposes: it allows assessment of tissue response to therapy, measurement of reductions in probing pocket depth (PPD), gains in clinical attachment level (CAL), and evaluation of patient compliance with oral hygiene practices. It also aids in identifying residual pockets or persistent inflammation that may necessitate additional treatment (1,3). Despite its clinical importance, the optimal timing of re-evaluation remains inconsistently defined in the literature (1). Generally, current literature utilizes a timing frame from 1-3 months; up to 9 months (3,4). Current clinical guidelines, including those from the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), generally recommend assessing whether the end points have been achieved; no periodontal pockets ≥ 5mm with bleeding on probing and no pocket ≥ 6mm (5). Emerging evidence suggests that certain clinical improvements, particularly reductions in inflammation and bleeding on probing (BOP), may occur as early as 4 weeks following therapy, raising questions about whether earlier re-evaluation could be clinically beneficial (2,3). Early reassessment may allow for more timely identification of non-responding sites, enabling prompt intervention and potentially improving overall treatment outcomes. Conversely, other studies indicate that full periodontal healing and maturation of tissues may require longer periods, supporting delayed re-evaluation intervals (1,2,3). Furthermore, patient-related factors such as systemic health, smoking status, and baseline disease severity may influence healing dynamics and thus the appropriate timing for reassessment (1). The heterogeneity of these factors highlights the potential need for a more individualized approach to re-evaluation rather than a fixed universal timeframe. Despite these considerations, there is a notable lack of high-quality comparative studies directly evaluating short-term versus conventional re-evaluation intervals following NSPT. Most available studies focus on treatment outcomes rather than the timing of reassessment itself. This creates a significant gap in the literature, particularly regarding whether earlier re-evaluation could enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, or optimize resource utilization in clinical practice. In addition, with increasing emphasis on minimally invasive and patient-centered care, there is a growing need to refine periodontal treatment protocols to ensure efficiency without compromising effectiveness. Determining the optimal timing of re-evaluation could contribute to improved treatment planning, reduced disease progression, and enhanced long-term periodontal stability. Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by investigating the effectiveness and clinical implications of shorter re-evaluation intervals following periodontal therapy, compared to conventional timeframes.

Conditions

Periodontal Diseases; Periodontitis (Stage 3); Subgingival Debridement

Keywords

periodontal disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• clinical attachment level

  baseline, 4 weeks, 10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• probing depth

  baseline, 4 weeks, 10 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Early Re-evaluation Group 4 weeks

EXPERIMENTAL

Test group with periodontal re-evaluation at 4 weeks following non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Procedure: Early follow up

Delayed Re-evaluation Group 10 - 12 weeks

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Control group with periodontal re-evaluation at 8-10 weeks following non-surgical periodontal therapy

Procedure: Delayed follow up

Interventions

Early follow up PROCEDURE

Test group with periodontal re-evaluation at 4 weeks following non-surgical periodontal therapy

Early Re-evaluation Group 4 weeks

Delayed follow up PROCEDURE

Control group with periodontal re-evaluation at 8-10 weeks following non-surgical periodontal therapy

Delayed Re-evaluation Group 10 - 12 weeks

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients above 18 yrs
• Patients that are systemically healthy
• Patients diagnosed as Stage III or Stage IV Periodontitis
• Patients willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent.
• Patients with no recent history of periodontal therapy
• Presence of ≥20 natural teeth

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with a history of medical conditions or diseases that may affect healing or periodontal tissues.
• Patients who are pregnant
• Patients on Drugs/medication that may affect the periodontal tissue
• Smokers or tobacco users
• Patients that cannot complete the 12-week follow-up period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gulf Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gulf Medical University

Ajman, Ajman Emirate, 00000, United Arab Emirates

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Periodontal Diseases; Periodontitis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Nesma Shemais, PhD

CONTACT

0529961988; dr.nesma@gmu.ac.ae

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: split mouth design

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 25, 2026
• First Posted: July 1, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 15, 2027
• Last Updated: July 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

AE (1)