Implant-supported palatal lift prosthesis in a patient with velopharyngeal incompetence: a case report.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of dental implants in the treatment of velopharyngeal incompetence.

BACKGROUND

Velopharyngeal incompetence is characterized by the inability to contract the tissues of the soft palate. The most common causes are neuromuscular problems resulting from concussion and degenerative conditions of the central nervous system.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The treatment using palatal lift prosthesis is well established in the literature; however, reports on the use of osseointegrated implants are scarce. Rehabilitation using only this type of fibromucosal support is difficult in edentulous patients, since the prosthesis has a palatal lift extension.

RESULTS

The implants provided retention and stability to the prosthesis, improving swallowing and speech and contributing to improve the patient's quality of life.

CONCLUSION

This article reports the rehabilitation of a patient with a totally edentulous maxilla with velopharyngeal incompetence using an implant-retained palatal lift prosthesis.