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[Fragmentation of sialoliths].
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Tandheelkunde
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can break sialoliths (salivary stones) in vitro. However, this method also causes significant damage to teeth and dental restorations, precluding in-vivo application.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Otolaryngology
Context:
- Sialolithiasis, or salivary stones, can cause significant discomfort and obstruction.
- Current treatments for sialolithiasis are often invasive or have limited efficacy.
Purpose:
- To investigate the feasibility of using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for sialolith disintegration.
- To assess the potential damage to surrounding dental and anatomical structures during ESWL treatment of sialoliths.
Summary:
- In vitro experiments demonstrated that ESWL can effectively disintegrate sialoliths.
- However, significant damage to teeth and dental restorations was observed during the in vitro trials.
- Patient positioning on a lithotriptor was feasible, directing shock waves to the sialolith while avoiding critical structures like the brain and eyes.
Impact:
- The findings suggest ESWL is not a viable treatment for sialolithiasis due to collateral damage.
- Further research is needed to explore safer methods for sialolith disintegration or alternative treatment modalities.