[Xerostomia in the elderly: causes, consequences and treatment possibilities of dry mouth].

Xerostomia is in most cases caused by a decrease or discontinuity of salivation (hyposalivation). A physiological decrease in salivary gland function is not the main cause of hyposalivation. According to recent publications the general state of health plays a major role.

Comparison of patients' views and dentists' evaluations 5 years after complete denture treatment.

This study describes a comparison of patients' views of their dentures and dentists' technical evaluations 5 yr after complete denture treatment. Of the original sample (n = 139) a test group of 92 patients remained available for the actual study 5 yr after treatment. Firstly, the patients filled in a questionnaire regarding their complaints of and (dis)satisfaction with dentures.

[Preserving alveolar bone with submucosal hydroxyapatite].

In this article the use of hydroxyapatite granules to prevent alveolar bone loss after extraction of teeth is described. Twenty-six alveoli were treated in the mandible and the maxilla. The used method resulted in a delayed healing of the wound and loss of a part of the implants.