Justification of the effectiveness of hirudotherapy in dentistry

Abstract

This article provides a systematic review of studies on the composition of leech saliva secretions, the method of hirudotherapy, and the results of hirudotherapy in complex treatment. The following databases were used to search for the study: Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, and Global Health. When using known methods of treatment, there is often no stability of results, this is explained by the search for new drugs and methods for treating periodontitis. It is known that the secret of the salivary glands of the medical leech contains more than 100 biologically active substances. The therapeutic effect of hirudotherapy is associated with the mechanical discharge of blood flow and the action of a complex salivary gland secretion of a medical leech. The molecules that exist in leech saliva and are the most studied to date include active substances such as hyaluronidase, hirudin, Kalin, destabilase, bdellins, histamine-like substances, hirustazine, factor XA inhibitor, and collagenase. It is scientifically proven that hirudotherapy leads to a significant improvement in the clinical condition of periodontal tissues, is simple, accessible, and can be recommended for use in the practice of periodontists.