Could a Light-Activated dye replace antibiotics for gum infections?
NCT ID NCT03576105
First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methylene blue can control early-stage pericoronitis, a painful gum infection around partially erupted wisdom teeth. Thirty-four healthy young adults with early pericoronitis will receive either standard irrigation or PDT, and researchers will measure changes in bacteria, inflammation, pain, swelling, and quality of life after four days. The goal is to see if this light-based treatment can stop the infection from worsening without antibiotics.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- photodynamic therapy with methylene blue
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a non-antibiotic way to control early pericoronitis, reducing the need for systemic antibiotics.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 34 participants. The treatment is tested only in mild, initial-stage pericoronitis, so results may not apply to more severe cases.
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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34 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2019
- Finished
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Jun 2024
- 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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13 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * Patients should have at least one lower third partially visible molar in the oral cavity to be examined (Lower third molar erupted or partially erupted, with pericoronitis) * All patients, regardless of age, gender, cultural level or socioeconomic status may participate in the research. Exclusion Criteria: * patients allergic to methylene blue * pregnant or breastfeeding women, * those with local infection (e.g., pericoronitis or periodontal abscess) presence of purulent exudate, * those with fever (temperature above 37.8 C) * Patients who have used anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotic medications in the last three months will also be excluded.
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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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Nove de Julho University
São Paulo, 01504-001, Brazil