[Theses 25 years after date 23. Developments in the prevention and treatment of xerostomia]

Twenty-five years ago, the treatment of xerostomia was predominantly symptomatic. At that time, the treatment possibilities were mainly sialogogues, mouthrinses and saliva substitutes. Since then, there have been few changes in the symptomatic treatment of xerostomia. Methods to prevent the development of xerostomia or to reduce its severity were then in their infancy and methods aiming to regenerate a damaged salivary gland did not exist. During the last 2 decades, however, great changes have taken place. New radiation techniques reducing the cumulative dose on salivary glands have been introduced. At the moment techniques are being developed to regenerate the secretory potential of a salivary gland damaged by radiotherapy. In addition, biologicals have recently been introduced which make it possible to intervene in the process of disease associated with Sjögren's syndrome, by means of which here, too, a degree of regeneration of function can be achieved.