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Shining a light on baby tooth infections
NCT ID NCT02485210
First seen Sep 16, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers test whether antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, a light-activated treatment, can reduce bacteria in infected baby front teeth better than standard root canal cleaning. The trial enrolls children aged 2 to 5 with a single-rooted front baby tooth that has died from deep decay or injury. Dentists measure bacteria before and after treatment, then check healing at 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, a light-activated treatment that kills bacteria in the root canal
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simpler way to clear infection from baby teeth and help children avoid pain, repeat visits, or early tooth loss.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is very small, with only 20 teeth studied, so results may not apply broadly. Photodynamic therapy also requires special equipment and training, which could limit its use.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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7 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2025
- Finished
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May 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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2 to 5 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Children of either sex, aged 2 to 5 years, in the primary dentition stage. * At least one restorable single-rooted anterior primary tooth with pulp necrosis caused by deep caries or dental trauma. * At least two-thirds of the root remaining. * Sufficient cooperation to allow safe clinical treatment. * No systemic antibiotic therapy during the previous 3 months. * Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian. Exclusion Criteria: * Root resorption involving two-thirds or more of the root. * Involvement of the permanent successor tooth crypt. * Tooth requiring immediate extraction or not amenable to endodontic treatment. * Compromised systemic health or uncontrolled chronic disease. * Recent antibiotic use capable of affecting microbiological results. * Noncooperative behavior that precluded safe clinical treatment.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Nove de Julho
São Paulo, 04106001, Brazil
More trials for these conditions
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