ALCOHOLIC PAROTID SIALADENOSIS

Alcoholism is a primary cause of sialadenosis, which is an asymptomati c, bilateral enlargement of the parotid glands. The authors outline th e pathogenesis, symptoms and testing involved in diagnosing sialadenos is. Recognizing sialadenosis is important because it may point to the unsuspected presence of underlying systemic disease. Therefore, dental practitioners need to be able to differentiate sialadenosis from an i nflammatory or neoplastic process to prevent unnecessary treatment.