title: An Innovative and Simple Approach to Functional Salivary Reservoir Fabrication.
abstract: Saliva is a valuable oral fluid that is often taken for granted. Impaired salivary function is a major and a debilitating sequela of radiation treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. It can persist for years and thereby increases the risk of oral infection significantly. Moreover, it has a notably negative impact on the quality of life of such patients. To help overcome this problem, a number of techniques have been proposed for incorporating a reservoir containing salivary substitute into a removable prosthesis. A new design for a functional salivary reservoir is presented here. This design is simple to construct and easily maintained by the wearer. Details of its design, construction, and other potential advantages are presented.
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Goa Dental College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India.
authors: Ronak Mukundkumar
authors: RM
authors: Shah
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Goa Dental College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India.
authors: Meena
authors: M
authors: Ajay Aras
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Goa Dental College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India.
authors: Vidya
authors: V
authors: Chitre
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D012463:Saliva; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D012464:Saliva, Artificial
keywords: Salivary substitute; acrylic reservoir; artificial saliva; removable prosthesis; xerostomia