Efecto de las cargas articulares sobre el flujo y pH salival

altered salivary flow is key for the onset of dental caries, periodontal disease and opportunistic infections. salivary flow is determined by various stimuli on several receptors, including joint mechanoreceptors. some studies show that loads on the tmj affect these receptors causing changes on the quality and quantity of saliva secretion. the aim of this study was to determine whether a relation exists between controlled load application and changes on salivary flow and ph. thirty volunteer subjects were recruited after excluding by inclusion criteria. a total coverage intraoral appliance was made with 1 mm acrylic buttons on tooth 1.5 and 2.5. the buttons were intentioned to direct the force vectors to apply a reversible load on the tmj. before using it, the unstimulated salivary flow (usf), the stimulated salivary flow (ssf) and the ph from each flow was obtained from each subject. after an adaptation period of a day, each volunteer used the appliance exerting steady moderate loads 1 hour/day for one week. under the supervision of the examiner, the usf, ssf and both ph were daily registered for the entire week. there was not an apparent association between applying controlled loads on the tmj and volumetric changes of the salivary flow. women, however, showed lower usf and ssf than men. load application through an oral appliance is associated with ssf ph drop from the third day.