Prosthetic Considerations for Patients with Xerostomia: A Narrative Review

The presence of xerostomia (dry mouth) has an important negative impact on oral health that leads to discomfort and functional failure for prosthodontic patients and increases dental diseases. In this narrative review, the goal was to discuss these prosthesis considerations in the clinical management of xerostomia patients. It emphasizes how salivary gland dysfunction leads to impaired prosthodontic treatment because of decreased lubrication, buffering capacity, and antimicrobial properties, which have a significant influence on the retention and comfort of prostheses. Traditional approaches to management include denture adhesives, silicone liner, and dental implants with varying impacts on oral function and patient reported outcome. Alternative methods such as artificial saliva gels and glandular stimulating agents offer adjunctive help but haven't been proven to be effective over long periods of time. It highlights the important gaps in the literature, such as the lack of standard treatment protocols and research on the sustainability of the prosthodontic therapy measures performed on xerostomic patients. This letter highlights the state-of-the-art pertaining to the management of patients suffering from both salivary gland dysfunctions and salivary gland cancers, necessitating multimodal, evidence-based treatment regimens to qualify for high quality of life-oriented approaches that can maximize not only efficiency but also safety and compliance.