Observations, knowledge, and attitude towards treatment options in patients with dry mouth: a survey among German dentists.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude, observations, and knowledge of German dentists regarding the management of dry mouth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire including queries about attitudes, observations, and treatment options in patients with dry mouth was developed and sent to all 1251 dentist members of a regional German dental association. RESULTS: An overall total of 284 returned questionnaires were included in the analyses, which relates to a response rate of 22.7%. Dentists infrequently encountered dry mouth in their clinical routine, yet were well aware that patients suffer from the symptoms of dry mouth; for affected patients, the majority of participating dentists provided specific dental prophylaxis measures. Drug side effects, neoplasia, and psychological disorders were regarded as the primary etiological factors for dry mouth, and caries, increased plaque formation, and rhagades as the most frequently observed clinical symptoms. While the majority of participating dentists was of the opinion that saliva substitutes are useful treatment options in patients with dry mouth, only few frequently recommended their use. Mechanical and gustatory stimulation of salivary flow as well as the advice to rinse with water were the most frequently pursued treatment options. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high prevalence of dry mouth identified in epidemiological studies, it appears to be an infrequent observation in clinical routine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pre- and postgraduate education should sensitize dentists for dry mouth and its treatment options.

A preliminary study on the short-term efficacy of chairside computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing- generated posterior lithium disilicate crowns.

The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the clinical performance of chairside-generated crowns over a preliminary time period of 24 months. Forty-one posterior crowns made of a machinable lithium disilicate ceramic for full-contour crowns were inserted in 34 patients using a chairside computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing technique. The crowns were evaluated at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months according to modified United States Public Health Service criteria. After 2 years, all reexamined crowns (n = 39) were in situ; one abutment exhibited secondary caries and two abutments received root canal treatment. Within the limited observation period, the crowns revealed clinically satisfying results.