Evaluation of unilateral removal of parotid salivary gland effect on Oral health indexes

Removal of salivary gland after surgical intervention can affect oral health by affecting saliva. This prospective study evaluates the effect of one-side parotid removal on salivary flow and oral health indexes, including CPITN and DMFT. Method and materials: 15 of the patients referred to Omid and Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad were selected by indicating one of the parotid salivary glands resection that did not require post-operative radiotherapy. These patients were evaluated for CPITN and DMFT in both half of the mouth and the amount of unstimulated saliva. Then these patients were underwent surgery and one year after surgery, these indices were measured again in patients. The results were analyzed by Wilcoxon test. Seven patients were excluded from the study due to non-attendance in follow-up period. This study showed that the overall CPITN of patients before surgery was 4.28 ± 2.75 and after surgery 5.50 ± 4.75, (P=0.19) the mean DMFT of patients before surgery was 14.28 ± 3.86 and the mean after surgery was 15.42 ± 3.59. (P=0.02) The results of this study showed that resection of parotid gland had significant effect on dental caries (p = 0.034) and salivary volume (p = 0.037), but this did not have a significant effect on periodontal parameters. This study showed that the unilateral removal of parotid gland significantly increased the patient's DMFT level and reduced the salivary release.