Treatment of xerostomia through use of dentures containing reservoirs of saliva substitute.

A 53-year-old woman was referred to the University Dental Clinic because of ocular and oral dryness during the previous year. She also had urticaria and was receiving medication for postmenopausal hormonal problems. The patient was wearing full dentures. Resting saliva flow rate (RSFR) and stimulated saliva flow rate (SSFR) were 0 ml/5 minutes and 0.5 ml/10 minutes, respectively. The patient was given Sulfarlem (trithioparamethoxyphenylpropene), tablets (25 mg) for six months. There was no significant improvement in flow rate. Medication was terminated as ineffective. Seven months later, full dentures with reservoirs of saliva substitute were constructed according to Vissink. The reservoir of the upper denture functioned satisfactorily for two weeks, after which the latex membrane valve became detached. The valve system was replaced with a Gerber matrix housing, which functions even without a latex membrane. The dentures were further improved by making a stainless steel plug constructed from a burr fitting into the matrix housing. This was found to effective in reducing the discharge of saliva substitute from the reservoir. Symptomatic treatment may be the treatment of choice in cases of xerostomia where no functional salivary gland tissue is present.