[Diagnostic value of saliva]

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Sialometry and sialochemistry are clinical tests with potential applications in dentistry.
• Their use is currently limited, despite good sensitivity in differentiating normal salivary gland function.
• Specificity can be low due to common underlying disease processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical utility of sialometry and sialochemistry in dental practice.
• To highlight their role in monitoring salivary gland function, especially post-irradiation.
• To discuss their application in diagnosing various oral conditions and salivary disorders.

Main Methods:

• Sialometry (measuring saliva flow rate) and sialochemistry (analyzing saliva composition).
• Comparison of salivary values between contralateral sides of the glands.
• Simultaneous laboratory evaluation of glandular function with blood chemistry.

Main Results:

• Tests show good sensitivity for differentiating normal from abnormal salivary function.
• Reliable comparison of values between right and left salivary glands.
• Valuable for monitoring salivary gland function during and after irradiation therapy.

Conclusions:

• Sialometry and sialochemistry are essential for diagnosing xerostomia, sialorrhea, and burning mouth syndrome.
• These noninvasive tests are indicated for salivary disorders, oral mucosa, and periodontium pathology.
• They are particularly useful for evaluating circulatory disorders, medication effects, and rare conditions like non-sal-saliva syndrome.