Dentures as artificial saliva reservoirs in the irradiated edentulous cancer patient with xerostomia: a pilot study.

Dentures which included a reservoir for dispensing artificial saliva were constructed for a trial group of patients with oropharyngeal cancer seen in the postirradiation period. The tumors were apparently under control, but the patients were suffering from xerostomia. Details of the design, construction, and use of such a device are presented. The subject of postirradiation xerostomia in the edentulous patients is reviewed, and recommendations for reducing the incidence and severity of this condition are given. The prosthesis contributed to successful oral rehabilitation of half the trial group of patients with postirradiation xerostomia.