In-vitro studies with artificial saliva: An up-to date overview of the literature

Artificial saliva (AS) is an aqueous solution designed to mimic the properties of natural saliva and is widely used in various in vitro studies. This investigation aimed to identify the most frequently selected AS compositions across different research categories. A systematic search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases, focusing on articles published in the last decade with the keywords "artificial saliva" and "in vitro studies." A total of 569 articles were reviewed and categorized based on research objectives: (a) dental tissue behavior and biocompatibility, (b) micromechanical surface properties, (c) chemical changes in materials, (d) food-drug interactions, and (e) microbiological and biofilm studies. AS compositions were grouped and analyzed using the Bonferroni test for frequency comparison. Salt-based solutions were the most used (42%), followed by formulations containing both salt and urea (20.2%). Despite widespread use, many studies lacked detailed descriptions of AS composition or preparation methods, complicating reproducibility. Furthermore, standardized protocols for AS formulations are absent, and specific chemical compositions tailored to each research category remain underdefined. Future research is essential to establish optimal AS formulations for distinct experimental contexts and improve consistency across studies.