Less drilling, same tooth saving? new trial tests gentler cavity care for teens
NCT ID NCT06944028
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study compares two ways to treat deep cavities in young permanent teeth without exposing the nerve. In selective excavation, the dentist removes only the outer decay and seals the tooth. In stepwise excavation, they place a temporary filling first and remove more decay a few months later. The goal is to keep the tooth alive and avoid root canals. About 666 children and teens aged 8-19 are taking part, with results tracked for up to 3 years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Selective or stepwise excavation (dental procedure)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that a less invasive cavity treatment works as well as a two-step approach, helping dentists save more young teeth from root canals or extraction.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-sized trial with 1-3 year follow-up, so long-term results are unknown. The procedures may still fail and require more invasive treatment later.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
-
Folktandvården Stockholm
Stockholm, Sweden
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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