Submandibular Glands Hypofunction in Xerostomic Patients

Objectives: To evaluate correlation in subjects with subjective xerostomia and normal whole saliva flow rates to their unstimulated and stimulated parotid and submndibular/ sublingual (SM/ SL) salivary secretion rates. Methods: The unstimulated and stimulated parotid and SM/ SL were evaluated by Modified Carlson Crittenden cup and gentle aspiration near the Wortons' ducts orifices in patients with normal whole saliva flow rates (0.2-0.6 ml/min) complaining of xerostomia. Subjective complaints of dry mouth, difficulties in swallowing, speaking and chewing were scored between 0-4 (0 = no complaint, 4 = severe complains). Results: Twenty three patients (5 men, 18 women) aged 25-77 years (average 55.65) were evaluated. Two patients had zero clinical score, 11 patients had 1, 3 patients had 2, 5 patients had 3 and 2 patients had 4. Parotid hypofunction was demonstrated only in 4.34% and the mean unstimulated parotid salivary flow rates were 0 – 0.314 ml/min (average 0.045 ml/min) and the stimulated 0.05 – 2.97 ml/min (average 0.54 ml'/min). Unstimulated SM/ SL salivary flow rates were low in all the patients ranging from 0 secretion to 0.046 ml/min (average 0.0127 ml'/min) and the stimulated 0-0.828 ml/min (average 0.117 ml'/min). Conclusions: The unstimulated SM/ SL salivary secretion rates had higher correlation with patients' clinical complaints of dry mouth than the parotid and whole saliva flow rates. Individual salivary glands secretion rates should be evaluated in all patients with normal whole saliva flow rate and subjective complains of dry mouth.