Chairside evaluation of salivary parameters in patients with tooth surface loss: a pilot study

In cases of tooth surface loss, the possibility of an erosive component should be considered, even when the lesions have the characteristic clinical appearance of abrasion or attrition. Individual susceptibility or resistance to erosive damage has been attributed to variations in the quality of saliva. Two recent studies have indicated that rate of flow of saliva and buffer capacity may be important determinants in erosion susceptibility. These parameters may be readily assessed using the chairside kits developed in Scandinavia for assessing caries susceptibility. In eight consecutive patients referred to the University of Queensland Dental School for investigation of tooth surface loss, six had no measurable quantities of resting whole saliva, four had low values for stimulated saliva flow rates, and only two patients had buffer capacities within the normal range. The results indicate the need for a larger scale study of salivary parameters in this patient group. The chairside kits provide a simple, rapid, hygienic means of assessing salivary values.