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Previous Endodontic Treatment Failure and Radiographically Confirmed Periapical RadiolucencycytokinesNCT07141459

Efficacy of 810 nm Diode Laser Disinfection on Inflammatory Cytokines and Postoperative Pain After Endodontic Retreatment

A study testing 810 nm diode laser disinfection and Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal medication in people with Previous Endodontic Treatment Failure and Radiographically Confirmed Periapical Radiolucency, run by Al-Azhar University at 1 site in Egypt.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The main cause of endodontic disorders is microbial infection. From the infected pulp tissue, microorganisms can penetrate into the deeper layers of root dentine and propagate a periapical tissue through the apical foramen and lateral canals causing apical periodontitis. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
810 nm diode laser disinfection and Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal medication
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
52 participants
Where
1 siteEgypt
Study dates
18 Aug 2025to 1 May 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 40 years
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients have single-rooted teeth with root canal form type I.
  • Have previous endodontic therapy with failure.
  • Have periapical radiolucency (PAI score of 3 or 4).
  • Asymptomatic patients who had no pain or swelling had a negative response to palpation and percussion.
  • Patients who provide written informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Patients who had received antibiotic therapy within the past 3 months. Pregnancy and lactation.
  • Systemic disease.
  • Physical or mental disability.
  • Non restorable teeth.
  • Any signs of resorption, immature roots, fracture, sinus tract and dental anomaly

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Egypt1 site
  • from the outpatient clinic of Endodontic Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University

    Cairo

Other trials in Egypt

About this study

Official title: Evaluation of the Efficacy of 810 nm Diode Laser Disinfection on Inflammatory Cytokines and Postoperative Pain After Endodontic Retreatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The main cause of endodontic disorders is microbial infection. From the infected pulp tissue, microorganisms can penetrate into the deeper layers of root dentine and propagate a periapical tissue through the apical foramen and lateral canals causing apical periodontitis. Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the periapical area of teeth with a global prevalence of 52% among individuals and 5% at tooth level. At the periapical region, microbes and their products encounter the host immune defense. Innate immune cells combat bacteria through phagocytosis and release anti-microbial substances, while adaptive immune cells initiate both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. This immune activation also stimulates osteoclasts, leading to bone resorption and creating space for the inflammatory cells' infiltration.

During pulpal and periapical inflammation, neutrophils are the predominant immune cells that migrate to the affected area. The main molecules involved in guiding and activating these neutrophils to the site of infection is interleukin-8 (IL-8). This cytokine is locally produced at the site of inflammation and has been linked to pulpal breakdown and apical periodontitis. It promotes the release of tissue-destructive enzymes by neutrophil degranulation. In addition, it affects other leukocyte types such as T cells, B cells, IL-2 activated natural killer cells, and basophils. It has been shown that IL-8 expression is closely related to both infection and inflammation. IL-1β stimulates destruction of periapical tissues which appears to be strongly linked to high microbial load present within the root canal system. It has been identified in teeth exhibiting periapical lesions and root canals containing exudate. Particularly, high levels of IL-1β appear to be related to the presence of clinical signs/ symptoms and destruction of periapical bone Eliminating microorganisms is the primary objective of root canal therapy in order to create an environment as free of bacteria as possible. However, not all root canal treatments are completely successful, and in some cases, the infection persists leading to development of secondary apical periodontitis in previously treated teeth.

Read more

Disinfecting the root canal during retreatment is significantly more challenging due to the presence of persistent microorganisms that have settled in the root canal system. These microbes are often resistant to standard irrigations and antimicrobial agents leading to the formation of periradicular lesions. Such bacteria can survive for extended periods around the previously filled root canals. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most widely used irrigant in root canal therapy due to its strong antibacterial effect and its ability to dissolve organic substances. Effective canal cleaning is difficult to achieve without the use of NaOCl at a sufficiently high concentration. However, NaOCl has several drawbacks, including its cytotoxicity which can lead to tissue damage and patient symptoms. Additionally, its strong oxidizing nature negatively affects the mechanical properties of dentin such as microhardness and elastic modulus. NaOCl should be used with caution in endodontic procedures to prevent hypochlorite accidents.

Calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) is the most widely utilized intracanal medication. It has the potential to dissolve tissue, acts as a physical barrier and generates hydroxyl ions, creating an extremely alkaline environment. It has been shown to be quite effective in the treatment of teeth with persistent periapical lesions. To provide optimal endodontic treatment, the root canal system should be thoroughly cleaned of soft-tissue debris, smear layer, and bacteria. However, it is impossible to completely disinfect and clean debris that build up. That is why, adjunctive aids, such as the use of passive ultrasonic and sonic activation of the irrigant and lasers with varying wave lengths, have been introduced during conventional endodontic therapy in cleaning maneuvers.

Laser therapy for root canal disinfection has gained popularity since laser-assisted root canal treatment aims to remove the smear layer, penetrate deep into dentin and eliminate bacteria up to 1000 μm . Laser types have been shown to reduce bacterial load when used as an adjunct to conventional root canal treatment such as Nd:YAG , Er:YAG and diode laser .

Read the detailed description

Diode laser exhibits a powerful antibacterial effect by altering the bacterial cell wall and damaging the cell membrane. Its photothermal action targets accessible bacteria, while its photodisruptive properties affect those in less accessible areas. This mechanism may not cause immediate bacterial death but instead induces sublethal damage that inhibits bacterial growth. By compromising the integrity of the cell wall and causing the accumulation of denatured proteins, bacterial growth is halted, eventually leading to cell lysis. These effects are achievedwith minimal does of heat.Researches have demonstrated differing degrees of effectiveness in achieving root canal disinfection with the use of diode lasers.

The diode laser is highly well-suited for root canal therapy due to its infrared wavelength and the use of a thin, flexible optic fiber tip (200 µm), which enables deep penetration into the root canal system. This design allows for efficient delivery and distribution of laser energy, improving disinfection and reducing microbial load. Furthermore, the compact size and affordability of diode lasers make them practical for use in general dental clinics and increasing their adoption in routine endodontic procedures. A study demonstrated that 980nm diode laser achieved bactericidal effect ranging from 77 to 97% in root canals infected with E. faecalis using energy outputs of 1.7, 2.3 and 2.8 W. Antimicrobial effect was related to the amount of energy and dentin thickness.

Another study confirmed that the diode laser can serve as an adjunct to conventional root canal therapy in cases with necrotic pulp and periapical radiolucency. Morsy et al evaluated the effectiveness of 980nm diode laser as an adjunctive tool in the retreatment of failed endodontic cases with chronic periapical lesions based on IL-8 expression and postoperative pain, compared to placebo. The findings indicated that intracanal diode laser irradiation is a valuable tool in endodontics, in retreatment cases, contributing to postoperative pain reduction and a decrease in IL-8 expression level.

Postoperative pain is an uncomfortable sensation and a common complication in endodontics, occurring in about 3%-58% of the cases. Pain following root canal obturation can result from various factors including mechanical, chemical or microbial. However; studies have reported that residual microorganisms within the root canal system are the primary contributors, as these microorganisms and byproducts can be extruded to periapical area leading to tissue damage and an increase in the inflammatory mediators' levels.

Although the use of diode laser in root canal disinfection is increasingly common, there is a lack of clinical studies evaluating its biological impact on inflammatory mediators as IL-8 and IL-1β in failed endodontic cases with chronic periapical lesion. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of 810 nm diode laser on inflammatory cytokines and postoperative pain in endodontic retreatment cases with chronic periapical lesion. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the levels of inflammatory cytokines and postoperative pain scores between the diode laser group and calcium hydroxide group following endodontic retreatment

Being tested
810 nm diode laser disinfection, Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal medication
Keywords
810 nm diode laser, inflammatory cytokines

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • 810 nm diode laser disinfectionDevice

    810 nm diode laser (Elexxion clarosdental laser, Singen Deutschland, Germany) in a continuous wave mode with a power of 1.5 Watts in 4 cycles of 5 seconds with 20 seconds intervals in between each. A 200 μm fiber optic tip (Lite medics, Italy) will be inserted 1 mm from the working length, activated and moved in slow helical motion from the apex to the cervical third with alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise direction at speed of about 2 mm/s

  • Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal medicationDrug

    Calcium hydroxide paste (MetaBiomed, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea) will be placed inside the root canal and left for 1 week.

Study groups in NCT07141459
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Group I (Diode laser group)ExperimentalLaser activated disinfection will be performed using 810 nm diode laser (Elexxion clarosdental laser, Singen Deutschland, Germany) in a continuous wave mode with a power of 1.5 Watts in 4 cycles of 5 seconds with 20 seconds intervals in between each. Prior to irradiation, all the individuals in the room will wear protective laser safety eye glasses. A 200 μm fiber optic tip (Lite medics, Italy) will be inserted 1 mm from the working length, activated and moved in slow helical motion from the apex to the cervical third with alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise direction at speed of about 2 mm/s(30). 5 ml saline solution will be used for each application and finally before taking post-irradiation sample (S3) using #40 paper points. The teeth will be restored with light cure glass ionomer resin cement temporarily. Finally, the root canal system will be obturated using ADSEAL resin-based sealer (Meta Biomed Co, Cheongju, Korea) and gutta-percha.
Receives: Device: 810 nm diode laser disinfection
Group II (Calcium hydroxide group)ExperimentalCalcium hydroxide paste (MetaBiomed, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea) will be placed inside the root canal and left for 1 week. The access cavity will be temporarily sealed with light cure glass ionomer resin cement. After 1 week, the temporary filling will be removed following local anaesthesia and isolation, the root canal will be irrigated with 20 ml saline and gently filed using H file corresponding to the master apical file size. The last sample (S3) will be collected using #40 paper points. Root canal obturation and final coronal restoration will be completed as in group I
Receives: Drug: Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal medication

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. IL-8 and IL-1β expression

    IL-8 and IL-1β levels will be quantified using ELISA kit according to manufacturer instructions

    Measured: 1week

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Postoperative pain assessment

    Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on a 10-point scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable)

    Measured: • Pre-treatment (baseline). • 6 hours post-treatment. • 12 hours post-treatment. • 1st day post-treatment. • 2nd day post-treatment. • 3rd day post-treatment. • 7th day post-treatment.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted26 Aug 2025
  2. Study start18 Aug 2025
  3. Primary completion20 Apr 2026
  4. Study completion1 May 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
52 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07141459
Sponsor's protocol ID
P-PD-25-26
Acronym
cytokines
Status last verified
Aug 2025
First submitted
19 Aug 2025
Last updated
27 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Morsy DA, Shaker OG, ElKhodary SA. Effect of diode laser (980 nm) on IL-8 expression in failed endodontic cases: Randomised control trial. Aust Endod J. 2025 Apr;51(1):17-25. doi: 10.1111/aej.12914. Epub 2024 Dec 10.

    PubMed 39659152
  • Ozlek E, Kadi G, Shoshaa N, Saed Y, Meydan I. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in gingival crevicular fluid during root canal treatment of molar teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis: impact of varying sodium hypochlorite concentrations. BMC Oral Health. 2024 Mar 27;24(1):392. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-04128-6.

    PubMed 38539133
  • Tiburcio-Machado CS, Michelon C, Zanatta FB, Gomes MS, Marin JA, Bier CA. The global prevalence of apical periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Endod J. 2021 May;54(5):712-735. doi: 10.1111/iej.13467. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

    PubMed 33378579

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing 810 nm diode laser disinfection and Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal medication in people with Previous Endodontic Treatment Failure and Radiographically Confirmed Periapical Radiolucency, run by Al-Azhar University at 1 site in Egypt.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

IL-8 and IL-1β expression (time frame: 1week). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07141459, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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