AGING EFFECTS ON DENTAL GUM TISSUE

EFFECT OF AGING ON THE GENE EXPRESSION AND HISTOMORPHOLOGY OF DENTAL GUM TISSUE

This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional two-visit study involving 100 Caucasian subjects representing 6 different age groups [20 to 24 (20s), 30 to 34 (30s), 40 to 44 (40s), 50 to 54 (50s), 60 to 64 (60s), and 70 to 74 (70s)]. Medically healthy subjects will receive a screening exam to determine their oral status. Subjects without periodontal disease will be enrolled in the study where two 2 mm gingival biopsy will be obtained using punch biopsy from the healthy attached gingiva around upper premolar teeth. Tissues will be processed and analyzed for histological and transcriptomics analyses targeting morphological changes and gene expression in gingival tissues with aging.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Aging
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: biopsy

Detailed Description

This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional two-visit study involving 100 Caucasian subjects representing 6 different age groups [20 to 24 (20s), 30 to 34 (30s), 40 to 44 (40s), 50 to 54 (50s), 60 to 64 (60s), and 70 to 74 (70s)]. From each group, eighteen subjects (9 females and 9 males) will be recruited (except for the 60's and 70's groups where 14 subjects/group - 7 females and 7 males, will be recruited). At the screening visit, subjects will receive an oral soft tissue (OST) exam followed by a full periodontal exam including probing pocket depth (PPD), the difference between gingival margin and cementoenamel junction, clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Subjects who meet all inclusion/exclusion criteria will receive a professional dental exam to assess the clinical status of their mouth; additionally, they will have an image of the anterior teeth taken and will fill out a questionnaire on their oral hygiene habits. At the second study visit, a 3 ml saliva sample will be collected for a saliva flow rate assessment and biomarkers analysis. Subgingival plaque samples will be taken with paper points from the tooth adjacent to the selected biopsy area, i.e. the upper second premolar. Additionally, blood (10 ml) samples for biomarker analysis and two- 2 mm-punch gingival biopsies for gene expression and histomorphology evaluations will be taken from each subject.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 100

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Individuals between the ages of 20-74 with healthy oral tissues will be included.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• provide written informed consent to participate in the study.
• be at the ages specified within age groups.
• male or female of the Caucasian race
• agree not to participate in any other oral/dental product studies during the course of this study.
• agree to delay any elective dentistry (including dental prophylaxis) until the study has been completed.
• agree to return for all scheduled visits and follow study procedures.
• have at least 16 natural teeth (excluding wisdom teeth).
• be in good general health, as determined by the Investigator/designee based on a review of the health history/update for participation in the study.
• healthy gingival tissue suitable for biopsy in the maxillary premolar area (per examiner discretion).

Exclusion Criteria:

• use of antibiotics 3 months prior to the study
• smoking or smoking cessation <1 year;
• any diseases or conditions to be expected to interfere with the examination or with the subject safely completing the study;
• history of drug use that is associated with gum overgrowth (i.e., dilantin, nifedipine, etc) or drugs that are known to inhibit salivary flow (i.e. antipsychotics etc.);
• chronic use of medication such as steroids, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin/ASA) more than 2-3 days/week), anti-coagulant medications, immunosuppressant medications or any other medications that in the opinion of the Investigator would interfere with the evaluation or confound interpretation of the study results. Use of low dose of ASA is permitted;
• previous gum surgery that might interfere with gum biopsy collection;
• presence or history of periodontal disease (at least 2 pockets 6mm);
• all teeth that are grossly carious, fully crowned, or extensively restored (per investigator discretion);
• any condition requiring the need for antibiotic pre-medication prior to dental procedures;
• current participation in any other oral/dental product studies;
• pregnancy or lactation;
• diabetes, autoimmune or infectious diseases, dry mouth, skin diseases;
• orthodontic appliances

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Association between age and gene expression	Gene expression in gingival tissues will be studied with regard to age of the study participants	Through the study completion, about 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Forsyth Institute
• Collaborators: Procter and Gamble
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Hatice Hasturk, DDS., Ph.D., Forsyth Institute

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 3, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 11, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): December 13, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 7, 2026
• Last Verified: September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Investigative Techniques; Specimen Handling; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Cytological Techniques; Cytodiagnosis; Diagnostic Techniques, Surgical; Biopsy
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2012007

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