Biotechnological advances in neuro-electro-stimulation for the treatment ofhyposalivation and xerostomia

ABSTRACT

Treatment of xerostomia is a common clinical challenge in the oral medicine practice. Although some treatmentshave been used to improve the symptoms of xerostomia, none is completely satisfactory for the patients who sufferof this alteration. In the last years non-pharmacological treatments based on electro-stimulation for the treatmentof xerostomia have been developed. This review is aimed at presenting new developments for the treatmentof xerostomia, applying neuro-electro-stimulation by miniaturized intra-oral electro-stimulators. These devicesincrease salivary secretion and improve symptoms of oral dryness. Their effect is obtained by means of stimulationof the lingual nerve, in whose proximity the electrodes of the apparatus are placed. The objective of thismechanism is both to directly stimulate the salivary glands controlled by that nerve and to enhance the salivaryreflex. Clinical studies have been carried out that have demonstrated the wetting effect of the method describedin this article (AU)