Biomarkers for Differentiating Reversible and Irreversible Pulpitis (PULPBIOM)

June 14, 2026 updated by: Safa

Role of Inflammatory, Oxidative Stress, Neurogenic, and Immunological Biomarkers in Pulp Blood for the Differential Diagnosis of Reversible and Irreversible Pulpitis

This observational study aims to evaluate the role of inflammatory, oxidative stress, neurogenic, and immunological biomarkers obtained from pulpal blood in the differential diagnosis of normal pulp, reversible pulpitis, and irreversible pulpitis.

A total of 75 teeth from systemically healthy individuals aged 12-35 years will be included and classified into three groups: normal pulp, reversible pulpitis, and irreversible pulpitis, based on clinical examination, radiographic findings, and pulp sensibility tests. No additional treatment procedures will be performed for research purposes. All dental procedures will be carried out according to routine clinical protocols.

During routine treatment, after pulp exposure, approximately 50 μL of pulpal blood that would otherwise be discarded as medical waste will be collected using a micropipette. Samples will be stored and analyzed using ELISA to determine the levels of inflammatory, neurogenic, immunological, and oxidative stress biomarkers. The results will be compared among the three groups to identify biomarkers that may improve the accuracy of pulpitis diagnosis and support clinical decision-making.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Current diagnosis of pulpal status relies primarily on clinical symptoms, sensibility tests, and radiographic findings, which may not always accurately reflect the underlying histopathological condition of the pulp. This study aims to investigate inflammatory, neurogenic, immunological, and oxidative stress biomarkers obtained from pulpal blood samples collected during routine dental treatment. Biomarker levels will be compared among teeth with normal pulp, reversible pulpitis, and irreversible pulpitis. The findings may contribute to the development of objective diagnostic tools for more accurate differentiation of pulpal conditions and improved treatment decision-making.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

90

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Kütahya
      • Kütahya, Kütahya, Turkey (Türkiye), 43100
        • Kütahya Health Sciences University Faculty of Dentistry

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults aged 12-35 years who presented to the Department of Endodontics or Pediatric Dentistry for routine restorative or root canal treatment and met the study eligibility criteria. Participants were classified into three groups according to pulpal diagnosis: normal pulp, reversible pulpitis, and irreversible pulpitis. Only systemically healthy individuals with vital teeth and sufficient pulpal blood sample collection during routine treatment procedures were included.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals aged 12 to 35 years
  • Systemically healthy individuals
  • Patients presenting for routine restorative treatment or root canal treatment
  • Teeth classified into one of the following pulpal status groups: healthy pulp, reversible pulpitis, or irreversible pulpitis
  • Confirmation of pulp vitality by pulp sensibility tests
  • Ability to obtain pulp exposure and collect an adequate pulpal blood sample during treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

  • No response to pulp sensibility tests
  • Teeth that are not restorable
  • Presence of a sinus tract
  • Radiographic evidence of periapical pathology
  • Presence of internal or external root resorption
  • Teeth with open apices
  • Presence of systemic disease
  • Pregnancy
  • History of NSAID or antibiotic use within the last week
  • Requirement for prophylactic antibiotic use
  • Teeth in which pulp exposure cannot be achieved after complete caries removal

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Normal Pulp
Teeth diagnosed with healthy pulp and scheduled for elective root canal treatment due to prosthetic indications.
Collection of pulpal blood samples during routine dental treatment followed by biomarker analysis using ELISA.
Reversible Pulpitis
Teeth diagnosed with reversible pulpitis based on clinical examination, radiographic findings, and pulp sensibility tests.
Collection of pulpal blood samples during routine dental treatment followed by biomarker analysis using ELISA.
Irreversible Pulpitis
Teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis based on clinical examination, radiographic findings, and pulp sensibility tests.
Collection of pulpal blood samples during routine dental treatment followed by biomarker analysis using ELISA.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Levels of inflammatory, neurogenic, immunological, and oxidative stress biomarkers in pulpal blood samples
Time Frame: At the time of treatment (baseline)
Comparison of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, MMP-9, TGF-β1, Presepsin, Substance P, SEMA3A, SEMA4D, SEMA7A, TAS, TOS, MDA, GSH, and SOD levels among healthy pulp, reversible pulpitis, and irreversible pulpitis groups.
At the time of treatment (baseline)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Diagnostic performance of pulpal blood biomarkers
Time Frame: At the time of treatment (baseline)
Evaluation of the ability of measured biomarkers to differentiate healthy pulp, reversible pulpitis, and irreversible pulpitis.
At the time of treatment (baseline)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

June 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 14, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 14, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • KURNAZ-PULPBIOMARKERS

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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