Diana Terlević Dabić1, Sanja Jurišić2, Vanja Vučićević Boras3, Dragana Gabrić4, Ivona Bago5, Danko Velimir Vrdoljak6. 1. 1 Private Dental Practice , Ljubljana, Slovenia . 2. 2 Private Dental Practice , Mostar, Croatia . 3. 3 Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine and Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb , Zagreb, Croatia . 4. 4 Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb, Croatia . 5. 5 Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb, Croatia . 6. 6 National Cancer Institute, Clinical Hospital Center Sisters of Mercy , Zagreb, Croatia .
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare switched on and switched off (sham) low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of drug-induced hyposalivation. BACKGROUND DATA: Hyposalivation is decreased salivary flow rate most frequently present in patients who take a lot of medication, suffer from Sjögren's syndrome, or were irradiated. Available therapies provide only short-term relief. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three participants (40 females and 3 males, average age 72.3 ± 8.9) participated in the study. Before therapy or after therapy, every participant fulfilled quality-of-life assessment scale (OHIP-CRO14). Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates were measured before and after treatment. The LLLT was performed by the use of gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser (830 nm) on parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands every day except during weekends for 14 days. RESULTS: Significant difference in unstimulated salivary flow rate after the treatment was found in the study group (p = 0.002) compared with the sham group. No significant difference in stimulated salivary flow rate after treatment was found in the laser group (p = 0.626) nor in the sham laser group (p = 0.233). No significant difference in patient's quality-of-life score was found after both treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the LLLT increased unstimulated salivary flow rate significantly. However, stimulated salivary flow rate did not increase significantly after the LLLT. In patients who underwent sham laser therapy, neither unstimulated nor stimulated salivary flow rate increased significantly.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare switched on and switched off (sham) low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of drug-induced hyposalivation. BACKGROUND DATA: Hyposalivation is decreased salivary flow rate most frequently present in patients who take a lot of medication, suffer from Sjögren's syndrome, or were irradiated. Available therapies provide only short-term relief. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three participants (40 females and 3 males, average age 72.3 ± 8.9) participated in the study. Before therapy or after therapy, every participant fulfilled quality-of-life assessment scale (OHIP-CRO14). Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates were measured before and after treatment. The LLLT was performed by the use of gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser (830 nm) on parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands every day except during weekends for 14 days. RESULTS: Significant difference in unstimulated salivary flow rate after the treatment was found in the study group (p = 0.002) compared with the sham group. No significant difference in stimulated salivary flow rate after treatment was found in the laser group (p = 0.626) nor in the sham laser group (p = 0.233). No significant difference in patient's quality-of-life score was found after both treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the LLLT increased unstimulated salivary flow rate significantly. However, stimulated salivary flow rate did not increase significantly after the LLLT. In patients who underwent sham laser therapy, neither unstimulated nor stimulated salivary flow rate increased significantly.
Authors: Aljaž Golež; Igor Frangež; Ksenija Cankar; Helena Ban Frangež; Maja Ovsenik; Lidija Nemeth Journal: Lasers Med Sci Date: 2021-08-19 Impact factor: 3.161