Electrostimulation of the lingual nerve by an intraoral device may lead to salivary gland regeneration: A case series study

Autores organización

• 

  Gloria Ines Lafaurie Villamil

  Autor

Autores

• Wolff A.
• Koray M.
• Campisi G.
• Strietzel F.P.
• Beiski B.Z.
• Ekström J.

Unidades de investigación

• Unidad de Investigación Básica Oral UIBO

  

  Investigador

  Gloria Ines Lafaurie Villamil

Resumen

Background: Salivary gland function is controlled by the salivary reflex, whose efferent arm is composed by the parasympathetic and the sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Parenchymal injury is the main salivary gland involvement of Sjögren’s syndrome and head and neck radiotherapy, but neural damage has been reported as well. Recently an intraoral device for electrostimulation of the lingual nerve in vicinity to the lower third molar has been introduced. At this point this nerve carries efferent fibers for the innervation of the submandibular, sublingual and several minor salivary glands and afferent fibers of the salivary reflex. Therefore, excitation of these fibers potentially leads to increased secretion of all salivary glands. Thus, the study objective was to assess whether comprehensive neural activation by electrostimulation of the lingual nerve carries the potential to induce the regeneration of damaged salivary glands. Material and Methods: The device was tested on three patients with no collectable resting and stimulated secretion of saliva during a double blind, sham controlled period of two months and nine open-label months. Results: All three subjects developed the capacity to spit saliva, not only in direct response to the electrostimulation but also after free intervals without electrostimulation. In addition, their symptoms of dry mouth severity and frequency improved. Conclusions: This recovery is probably due to the combined effect of increase in secretory functional gland mass and regain of nervous control of the secretory elements and blood vessels. Both are phenomena that would contribute to gland regeneration. © Medicina Oral S. L. C.I.F.

Keywords

• Aged; Cross-Over Studies; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Equipment Design; Female; Humans; Lingual Nerve; Male; Middle Aged; Regeneration; Salivary Glands; Xerostomia; azathioprine; cisplatin; neurotransmitter; pilocarpine; thyroxine; adult; aged; Article; clinical article; collagen disease; controlled study; disease severity; double blind procedure; electrostimulation; estrogen therapy; female; follow up; human; lingual nerve; male; mechanical stimulation; middle aged; mouth mucosa; myalgia; nasopharynx carcinoma; nerve regeneration; observational study; open study; outcome assessment; parasympathetic nerve; quality of life; questionnaire; randomized controlled trial; salivary gland biopsy; salivary gland function; salivary gland regeneration; serology; Sjoegren syndrome; structured questionnaire; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; validation process; xerostomia; case report; crossover procedure; devices; electrotherapy; equipment design; physiology; procedures; regeneration;