A 45-year-old female patient came to the institute complaining of reduced salivation, pain and food lodgment in multiple teeth, and difficulty in eating. The systemic examination revealed dry eyes, dry mouth, cracking of corners of mouth and lack of appetite. The diagnostic tests were conclusive of Sjogren's syndrome, which is associated with xerostomia, ocular dryness and connective tissue disorders. Major oral problems in such patients include high caries rate, burning of oral mucosa, early tooth loss, increased tooth wear, poor tolerance for dentures and repeated failure of dental restorations.
Prosthodontic therapy for this unique patient group is challenging and neglected, due to limited choice of abutments, loss of vertical dimension and poor occlusion. Two-year follow up of a patient of Sjogren's syndrome who was rehabilitated by a combination of fixed and removable prostheses, with a simplified palatal salivary reservoir is presented.
Though the patient felt an improvement in quality of life due to the prosthesis, slurred speech and frequent reservoir refilling remained problems.