COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRYSTALLOGRAM OF THE ORAL FLUID IN PATIENTS WHO USE HEROIN AND METHADONE

Abstract

Currently, the problem of drug addiction is one of the main not only in healthcare but also in society, because it poses a serious threat to the life and health of the working-age population. Persons suffering from drug addiction, are characterized not only by severe disorders of the Central nervous system, internal organs, but also pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. The results of studies indicate that persons suffering from drug dependence on opiates (mainly from heroin addiction) and taking methadone (a synthetic drug from the group of opioids used in some countries as substitution therapy in the treatment of drug dependence), along with the general toxic effects on the body, there are significant changes in the state of the dentition.The aim of the work is to analyze the results of oral fluid crystallograms in patients using heroin and methadone and to identify the features of crystal morphology depending on the substance used. For the first time, changes in crystal morphology were detected in patients taking heroin and methadone. The article presents the results of the analysis of crystallograms of oral fluid of patients using heroin and methadone, the features of their morphology, distinctive quality features, including the lack of crystal growth and rupture of its structure. It is noted that these morphological changes in the crystallization of oral fluid of drug-dependent patients identified for the first time and can be used for diagnostic purposes in dentistry to identify patients who use heroin or methadone. Analysis of the results of these crystallograms in the studied categories of patients allows to differentiate them depending on the substance used (heroin, methadone), which can be used in clinical practice.