Evaluation of the Toronto Palatal Lift Prosthesis for Patients with Hypernasal Resonance Disorders

• Main Author: Ayliffe, Brett William
• Other Authors: Bressmann, Tim
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: palatal lift; hypernasality; speech aid; velopharyngeal incompetence; velopharyngeal insufficiency; maxillofacial prosthetics; speech disorders; removable dental prosthetics; 0567
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/35582

Statement of the problem. Hypernasality resulting from velopharyngeal insufficiency or incompetency is a resonance disorder that has negative consequences for speech production and intelligibility of afflicted individuals. Purpose. The purpose of this prospective study is to ascertain if a palatal lift prosthesis with a generic silicon velar lamina, termed the Toronto Palatal Lift Prosthesis (TPLP), can assist velopharyngeal valve function to reduce hypernasality in patients. Methods. A prospective study of six patients treated with the TPLP was compared by the outcome measures of nasalance scores, perceptual evaluations, and patient satisfaction to those obtained using a contemporary acrylic palatal lift prosthesis. Results. The six patients had varying degrees of reduction in hypernasality and acceptance of the TPLP. Conclusion. On the basis of this preliminary study on the TPLP it is possible to fabricate a palatal lift prosthesis with a generic silicon velar lamina that reduces hypernasality in select patients.