Salivary reservoir in complete denture patient: A case report

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which affects multiple body systems.Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common complication I of diabetes, especially in elderly patients.Denture wearing is very difficult and uncomfortable in such patients.However, dentures can be modified to include a salivary substitute reservoir to improve comfort.An elderly female patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus presented with a chief complain of difficulty in chewing and replacement of missing teeth with complete denture prosthesis.Clinical examination and history revealed the presence of xerostomia.To address this, a low cost salivary reservoir was incorporated into the denture without using specialized equipment or attachments.The reservoir was created by hollowing the palatal vault of the upper denture and sealing it with a custom-made snap on lid.Small holes were created to the lid to allow controlled release of the salivary substitute.The patient reported satisfaction with both the comfort and function of the modified denture.