Prosthodontics in velopharyngeal incompetence

The development of sophisticated surgical techniques and procedures in the past decade has greatly enhanced the rehabilitation of congenital cleft palate patients. However, some of these patients may present oral and / or systemic factors contraindicating surgical intervention. In addition, since total elimination of surgical failure has not yet become a reality, there exists a patient population for whom rehabilitation must be approached with the help of a prosthodontist. The function of a prosthodontist is to restore the basic vital functions of mastication, deglutition and speech production. To accomplish this, the prosthodontist is most concerned with the preservation of residual teeth, the health of the periodontium, the physiology of residual soft palate musculature and the activity of the anatomic structures identified with the palatopharyngeal sphincters. This article provides an overview of palatopharyngeal incompetence.