Clinical aspects of the use of dental adhesive materials in patients with chronic xerostomia.

Adhesives are commonly used by denture wearers to increase the retention and stability of the complete denture, to improve the chewing and masticatory abilities and to psychologically support the patient to make the complete denture more acceptable. Denture fixatives can be especially recommended for use and to aid retention for patients with dryness of the mouth, poor secretion of saliva and xerostomia (e.g. diabetes mellitus). Dental adhesives may be contaminated with bacteria, yeast and fungi during the manufacturing process, and they have been shown to initiate and promote microbial growth. Some products have been shown to release formaldehyde, which is cytotoxic to cell culture and fibroblasts and is a potent allergen. Patients with chronic xerostomia may use denture adhesives during the course of the treatment and disease. These patients are often immunocompromised, and microorganisms they are exposed to must be considered potential pathogens.