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Increased Salivary Flow Using Photobiomodulation Therapy in a Patient With Sjögren's Syndrome: A Case Report
Soraya de Mattos Camargo Grossmann1, Laura Cascão Lopes1, Luiza Grossmann de Almeida2
1Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC Minas), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Objectives:
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects multiple systems, including hypofunction of salivary and lacrimal glands, associated with xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Current treatments for SS aim to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications by providing therapeutic support to patients. In this context, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with low-level laser has demonstrated efficacy in managing conditions associated with reduced salivary flow, including SS.
Methods:
This study reports a case of a 17-year-old female patient diagnosed with SS who underwent PBMT targeting the major salivary glands to alleviate symptoms of xerostomia. Fifteen sessions of PBMT were conducted using an infrared low-level semiconductor diode laser.
Results:
A significant improvement in salivary flow was observed, increasing from 0.4 to 1.64 mL/min post-therapy, with results maintained 6 months after the final application. In addition, the patient's initial moderate xerostomia was reduced to mild, as assessed by a questionnaire using a numerical visual scale.
Conclusions:
PBMT with a low-level laser proved to be an effective nonpharmacological therapeutic option for conditions of xerostomia in SS, particularly in young patients. Further studies with larger patient samples are necessary to validate the effectiveness of this promising therapy for this patient population.
