An observational study in Stomatognatic, Tooth Diseases and Diseases, sponsored by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 16 Years to 50 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-26.
Sponsored by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) · Observational
Background:
- The third molars (wisdom teeth) normally grow in during late adolescence or early adulthood. Many people need or choose to have these teeth removed with oral surgery. Normally, the removed teeth and tissue are thrown away as medical waste. However, oral health researchers want to collect the teeth and tissue for research. They also want to encourage dentists at the National Institutes of Health to improve their skills in oral surgery. This study will collect the teeth and tissue of people who need to have oral surgery to remove their wisdom teeth.
Objectives:
Eligibility:
- Individuals between 16 and 50 who need to have their wisdom teeth removed.
Design:
Objective
The objective of this protocol is to collect data and surgical waste tissue for research purpose in subjects undergoing clinically indicated wisdom teeth extraction at the NIH NIDCR Dental clinic with the aim of obtaining generalizable knowledge about oral health while utilizing surgical waste tissue for research studies.
Study Population
The protocol will enroll a convenience sample of 3,000 subjects ages greater than or equal to 16-50 in need of clinically indicated extraction of third molars.
Design
This is a data collection and specimen acquisition protocol. Data and oral tissue samples will be collected for research purpose in subjects undergoing extraction of third molar teeth at the NIH NIDCR dental clinic. If trends in data emerge that warrant further exploration, outcome measures will be identified, and IRB approval or determination of exemption will be requested to carry out the project. Oral specimens removed during a third molar extraction will be distributed for research with appropriate IRB approval.
Subjects will report to the NIH NIDCR dental clinic for 3 visits. The first visit will be a screening evaluation to determine protocol eligibility. Eligible subjects will return for a second visit for the third molar extraction procedure. The third visit will be scheduled approximately 3-40 days after surgery for a post-operative clinical evaluation. Additional visits for standard of care follow up or treatment may be required based on clinical status of subject after surgery.
Outcome Measures
Data collection includes demographics, medical/dental history, examination findings, pain management, medication regimen, adverse events and other data collected from all standard of care procedures.
Oral specimens removed during third molar extraction may include teeth, alveolar bone, excessive gingival tissue and other waste tissue and will be distributed for research as directed by IRB and OHSRP approval for sharing.
79 studies on the registry are indexed under Tooth Diseases; 11 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 3,000 is above the median of 224 across 16 observational studies indexed under Tooth Diseases.
Browse Tooth Diseases studies →National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is the lead sponsor of 94 studies on the registry; 9 are open to participants now.
Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (63%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
The protocol will enroll a convenience sample of 10,000 subjects ages >16-50 in need of clinically indicated extraction of third molars.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
ASA physical status
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Male or female ages 16-50
data collection
If trends emerge that warrant further exploration, outcome measures will be described
Time frame: 16 years
Plan to share: Undecided — It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make IPD available
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) →