Could a crown without drilling beat the drill for Kids' cavities?
NCT ID NCT04367649
First seen Aug 13, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests two gentler ways to treat cavities in children's baby molars: the Hall technique, which fits a stainless steel crown without removing decay, and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), which uses hand tools and adhesive fillings. It compares these to the conventional drilling-and-filling approach in 155 children. The goal is to see which method keeps the teeth healthy and intact over time, while also checking how satisfied the children are with the experience.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Hall technique (stainless steel crown) and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) compared to conventional fillings
- What this could lead to
- If successful, these less invasive methods could offer children a more comfortable, drill-free way to treat cavities, potentially reducing anxiety and the need for repeat procedures.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is relatively small and early-stage, and results may not apply to all children or cavity types. There is also a risk that the crowns or fillings may fail or cause discomfort.
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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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155 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2018
- Finished
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Aug 2020
- 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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4 to 8 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Children free of any systemic disease or special health care needs. * Cooperative children ( positive/ definitely positive) according to Frankl's behavior rating scale. * Children who are willing to participate in the study * Tooth inclusion criteria: * Primary molar teeth with occlusal or occlusoproximal carious lesions into dentin (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) (ICDAS) codes: 3-5 * Absence of clinical signs or symptoms of irreversible pulpitis * Absence of fistula or abscess near the selected tooth clinically and radiographically * Absence of spontaneous pain * Absence of pulp exposure * Absence of pathological mobility by placing the points of a pair of tweezers in an occlusal fossa, and gently rocking the tooth bucco-lingually. Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical signs and symptoms of irreversible pulpilitis. * Tooth mobility * Spontaneous pain
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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
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Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University
Alexandria, 21512, Egypt
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.