Speech intelligibility with the buccal flange obturator.

habilitation of patients who have undergone extensive surgery for eradication of neoplasm of the maxillae requires restoration of the functions of speech, mastication, and deglutition. The options for rehabilitation of these patients are surgical reconstruction or prosthetic restoration. According to Sharry,’ even when surgical techniques are available, prosthetic reconstruction is chosen most frequently. Prostheses for acquired defects of the hard palate consist of either complete or removable partial dentures with nasal extensions designed to obturate the defect. The objectives of such prostheses as outlined by Aramany and Drane’ are (1) oronasal separation, (2) retention and stabilization of the prosthesis, and (3) rehabilitation of speech.