title: Salivary changes related to systemic diseases in the edentulous patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relatively frequent systemic comorbidities of geriatric patients can be linked to salivary changes, which may induce oral alteration and discomfort with the removable prosthesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the salivary parameters in completely edentulous patients treated by removable prosthesis, in relation to their general health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed on 30 completely edentulous patients, 53% male and 47% female, aged between 53 and 84. The evaluation of the salivary parameters (oral hydration index, pH and salivary flow, viscosity and saliva buffer capacity) was performed with the Saliva Check Buffer kit (GC Corporation).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The salivary changes encountered were the following: low hydration level (63%), high saliva viscosity (57%), below-average pH (27%), reduced salivary flow (77%) and low saliva buffer capacity (80%). A reduced salivary flow and saliva buffer capacity was found in women. A lower buffer capacity of the saliva was found in patients with respiratory and gastro-intestinal disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The alterations of the salivary flow are relatively frequent in geriatric patients, removable denture wearers, with compromised systemic status. These changes may be a risk factor for denture stomatitis and oral candidiasis, with a negative effect on the patient's comfort and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Preoteasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tâncu
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iosif
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melescanu Imre
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murariu-Măgureanu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Ergonomics, Scientific Research Methodology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Preoteasa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012472:Salivation
keywords: denture; edentulous; medication; saliva