Abstract
Malignant tumours of the oral cavity that require resection of the tongue result in severe deficiencies in speech and deglutition. Speech misarticulation leads to loss of speech intelligibility, which can prevent or limit communication. Prosthodontic rehabilitation involves fabrication of a Palatal Augmentation Prosthesis (PAP) following partial glossectomy and a mandibular tongue prosthesis after total glossectomy [1]. Speech analysis of a total glossectmy patient rehabilitated with a tongue prosthesis was done with the help of Dr. Speech Software Version 4 (Tiger DRS, Inc., Seattle) twelve years after treatment. Speech therapy sessions along with a prosthesis helped him to correct the dental sounds by using the lower lip and upper dentures (labio-dentals). It was noticed that speech intelligibility, intonation pattern, speech articulation and overall loudness was noticeably improved.
References
Appleton J, Machin J (1995) Working with oral cancer. Winslow Press, Bicester Oxon, UK pp. 15
Skelly M (1973) Glossectomy speech rehabilitation. Thomas Publishers, New York p. 49
Shimodaira k, Yoshida H, Yusa H et al (1998) Palatal augmentation prosthesis with a alternative palatal vaults for speech & swallowing. J Prosth Dent 80:1–3
Kaplan P (1993) Immediate rehabilitation after total glossectomy: a clinical report. J Prosth Dent 69:462–463
Izdebski K, Ross JC, Roberts WL et al (1987) An interim prosthesis for the glossectomy patients. J Prosth Dent 57:608–611
Bachher GK (1993) Effective speech and psychotherapeutic programme for head and neck cancer patients. Ph.D. Thesis; Mumbai University, India
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bachher, G.K., Dholam, K.P. Long Term Rehabilitation of a Total Glossectomy Patient. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 10, 194–196 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13191-010-0029-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13191-010-0029-6