Is dentistry going to get into the salivary diagnostics game or watch from the sidelines?

Abstract

What is salivary diagnostics and why should you care? Most of us dentists try to avoid or control saliva as it interferes with access, or chemical interactions in dental materials, or impression materials, or when it is simply a nuisance. Periodically, we may note reduced flow or encounter a patient with xerostomia. Correspondingly, we then manage the reduced flow in an attempt to maintain homeostasis. However, with the discovery of salivary biomarkers, saliva is taking on a new role.