CLINICAL evaluate the effect of behaviour modification - patients had to consciously swallow saliva when they heard a specific sound. The results showed that there was a significant reduction in deep brain stimulation. The authors agreed that self-motivation was very important and that the success of the intervention depended on it. Postma et al. (2007) followed 28 patients and concluded that there was a significant improvement after radiotherapy with the effect lasting a year. There were no significant side effects, such as loss of taste or dry mouth.
Dihydroergotoxine mesylate: a viable alternative?
According to the scientific work of Cheng et al. (2019), dihydroergo-
toxine mesylate is an alpha-adrenergic drug that acts agonistically on dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors and antagonistically on alpha-adrenergic receptors in the brain. This was the first time that this drug has been tested in the treatment of excess saliva. The study consisted of two phases, using 2.5 mg oral dihydroergotoxine mesylate twice daily. There were no significant side effects. However, this is currently the only work that fully recommends the use of an alpha-adrenergic drug. It is possible that this study will be crucial in the treatment of patients with Parkinskon’s disease and encourage further research, because dihydroergotoxine mesylate has been shown to be safe and effective in the limited
data available.
Conclusion
Excess saliva is a common manifestation of Parkinson’s disease. Even though patients generally tolerate this problem well mentally, its consequences on speech, swallowing, and oral health (perioral dermatitis, poor oral hygiene, halitosis) require attention. It is very important to develop a treatment strategy for these patients and prevent possible complications. All the therapeutic procedures that are currently available have advantages and disadvantages, so there is a serious need for further research on this topic in order for these patients to have the best possible quality of life.
Hyaluronic acid: a minimally invasive approach to papilla reconstruction The reconstruction of deficient interdental papillae poses a great challenge in patient’s treatment plans for clinicians today.
Ioanna Mitsika, Greece
A
ccording to a 2009 European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry survey, open gingival embrasures rated as the third most disliked aesthetic problem below caries and apparent crown margins during prosthetic treatment. The loss of inter-
dental papilla can also negatively affect the health of periodontal tissue. This deficiency leads to the accumulation of food debris and dental microbial plaque, since it is difficult for patients to clean the interdental spaces. Furthermore, this may cause hardship in the
pronunciation of some letters of the alphabet. It is readily perceptible that the interdental papilla, especially in the anterior dentition, is an important part of smile aesthetics and periodontal health. Towards the end of 1998, Nordland and Tarnow suggested a
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