Comparison of Gingival Flap Procedure Using Conventional Surgical Loupes vs. Videoscope for Visualization

Comparison of Gingival Flap Procedure Using Conventional Surgical Loupes vs. Videoscope for Visualization. A Pilot Study

This study is being performed to compare different methods of visualization during routine gum surgery. The gum surgery is standard of care. This study will compare the use of a small camera (videoscope) in conjunction with magnification glasses during surgery vs. surgery only using magnification glasses. Both methods are routinely used and are standard of care methods of visualization. The small camera (videoscope) is a device which allows us to see the area under high magnification and projects live video feed on a computer screen.

The study is a split-mouth design pilot study. The patients are only receiving treatment that was previously diagnosed prior to entering the study. The treatment performed is standard treatment that fits in the routine standard of care. No interventional treatment is being performed. The only difference is the method of visualization/observation by the practitioner used during the surgical procedure. One side of the mouth will be treated with just loupes while the other side of the mouth will be treated with loupes and the videoscope.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Periodontitis; Periodontal Diseases; Surgery; Periodontal Bone Loss; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Inflammation

Detailed Description

It is well known that tartar makes at-home oral hygiene care more difficult. The plaque and bacteria that accumulate on tartar are considered the primary factors contributing to gum disease. Conventional gum surgery is commonly performed using loupes (magnification glasses). The use of a videoscope, a handheld miniature camera, allows for greater visualization during surgery. While the debris on the root surface of teeth is not visible with loupes, it is easily observed when the root surface is visualized with the high magnification of the videoscope. The videoscope allows for up to 40x magnification to visualize underneath the gumline. The use of loupes and the videoscope are methods of visualization that are standard of care at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry.

This study is being performed to compare different methods of visualization during routine gum surgery. The gum surgery is standard of care. This study will compare the use of the videoscope in conjunction with loupes during surgery vs. surgery only using loupes. No aspect of this study is investigational, however, bacterial samples will be collected from the patients at multiple time points to assess outcomes. The collection of bacterial samples for research will be conducted through paper points and an oral rinse. These methods are well-established methods of data collection.

Data will be sent to OralDNA labs for analysis. A special contract is required between the school and the company as they will be paid for the services rendered.

Hypothesis: Does the use of the videoscope in conjunction with loupes, as compared to only using loupes for visualization during surgery, have a positive effect (i.e. reduced inflammation and active disease) on the outcomes of gum surgery.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Texas
    • Dallas, Texas, United States, 75246
      • Texas A&M University School of Dentistry

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients will be identified at the Texas A&M University dental school clinic.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients that are treatment planned for open flap debridement in two or more quadrants
• age >18 years old
• Stage III periodontitis diagnosis
• Probing depths ≥5mm with bleeding on probing

Exclusion Criteria:

• systemic disease affecting bone metabolism
• current smokers
• diabetes
• pregnant women
• adults unable to consent
• prisoners
• previous or current bisphosphonate use
• recent joint replacement requiring prophylactic antibiotics
• teeth that necessitate and undergo osseous recontouring (shaping of the bone) will be excluded

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patients receiving routine, pre-diagnosed, standard of care procedures.; Single cohort of patients receiving previously prescribed treatment. The only variable will be the modality of visualization utilized on each side of the mouth during the surgical procedure.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Probing Depth (in millimeters)	The distance from the soft tissue (gingiva or alveolar mucosa) margin to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the probing depth is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	baseline
Clinical Attachment Level (in millimeters)	The distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the clinical attachment level is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	baseline
Bleeding on Probing (yes or no)	Bleeding is observed or not observed around each of 6 surfaces for each individual tooth following the gentle probing into the gingiva to obtain the probing depth measurements (see definition of periodontal probing). Gingival bleeding indicates the presence of inflammation. Bleeding on probing is a standard of care observation/finding and clinical sign that indicates the presence of inflammation and the progression of periodontal disease.	baseline
Probing Depth (in millimeters)	The distance from the soft tissue (gingiva or alveolar mucosa) margin to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the probing depth is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	These will be collected at 3 months post-surgery.
Clinical Attachment Level (in millimeters)	The distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the clinical attachment level is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	These will be collected at 3 months post-surgery.
Bleeding on Probing	Bleeding is observed or not observed around each of 6 surfaces for each individual tooth following the gentle probing into the gingiva to obtain the probing depth measurements (see definition of periodontal probing). Gingival bleeding indicates the presence of inflammation. Bleeding on probing is a standard of care observation/finding and clinical sign that indicates the presence of inflammation and the progression of periodontal disease.	These will be collected at 3 months post-surgery.
Probing Depth (in millimeters)	The distance from the soft tissue (gingiva or alveolar mucosa) margin to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the probing depth is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	These will be collected at 6 months post-surgery.
Clinical Attachment Level (in millimeters)	The distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the clinical attachment level is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	These will be collected at 6 months post-surgery.
Bleeding on Probing	Bleeding is observed or not observed around each of 6 surfaces for each individual tooth following the gentle probing into the gingiva to obtain the probing depth measurements (see definition of periodontal probing). Gingival bleeding indicates the presence of inflammation. Bleeding on probing is a standard of care observation/finding and clinical sign that indicates the presence of inflammation and the progression of periodontal disease.	These will be collected at 6 months post-surgery.
Probing Depths (in millimeters)	The distance from the soft tissue (gingiva or alveolar mucosa) margin to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the probing depth is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	These will be collected at 1 year post-surgery.
Clinical Attachment Level (in millimeters)	The distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the tip of the periodontal probe during usual periodontal diagnostic probing. The health of the attachment apparatus can affect the measurement. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms). The instrument used to measure the clinical attachment level is the periodontal probe. The periodontal is a calibrated probe used to measure the depth and determine the configuration of a periodontal pocket. (Definition from the American Academy of Periodontology Glossary of Periodontal Terms).	These will be collected at 1 year post-surgery.
Bleeding on Probing	Bleeding is observed or not observed around each of 6 surfaces for each individual tooth following the gentle probing into the gingiva to obtain the probing depth measurements (see definition of periodontal probing). Gingival bleeding indicates the presence of inflammation. Bleeding on probing is a standard of care observation/finding and clinical sign that indicates the presence of inflammation and the progression of periodontal disease.	These will be collected at 1 year post-surgery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Bacterial Species Identification	Fluid from just underneath the subject's gums will be collected using a using a commercially available test (paper strip). The strip will be analyzed for bacteria. Minimal discomfort is associated with this procedure. The bacterial sampling is not routinely done in our clinic and considered to be a research only procedure. The test samples will be analyzed by OralDNA® Labs.	These will be collected at the initial visit
Bacterial Species Identification	Fluid from just underneath the subject's gums will be collected using a using a commercially available test (paper strip). The strip will be analyzed for bacteria. Minimal discomfort is associated with this procedure. The bacterial sampling is not routinely done in our clinic and considered to be a research only procedure. The test samples will be analyzed by OralDNA® Labs.	These will be collected at 3 months post-surgery.
Bacterial Species Identification	Fluid from just underneath the subject's gums will be collected using a using a commercially available test (paper strip). The strip will be analyzed for bacteria. Minimal discomfort is associated with this procedure. The bacterial sampling is not routinely done in our clinic and considered to be a research only procedure. The test samples will be analyzed by OralDNA® Labs.	These will be collected at 6 months post-surgery.
Bacterial Species Identification	Fluid from just underneath the subject's gums will be collected using a using a commercially available test (paper strip). The strip will be analyzed for bacteria. Minimal discomfort is associated with this procedure. The bacterial sampling is not routinely done in our clinic and considered to be a research only procedure. The test samples will be analyzed by OralDNA® Labs.	These will be collected at 1 year post-surgery.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Texas A&M University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Carlos Parra Carrasquer, DDS, Texas A&M University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 27, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 26, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): July 6, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 12, 2024
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: videoscope
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Bone Resorption; Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Periodontal Atrophy; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Alveolar Bone Loss; Periodontitis; Inflammation; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Pocket
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB2022-1044

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No