J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2016 Jul;54(3):286-290. 10.4047/jkap.2016.54.3.286.

Fabrication of palatal lift prosthesis using thermoplastic resin for a patient with velopharyngeal insufficiency

• Jung HJ
• Kim JH
• Lee SH
• Park YB

• KMID: 2344869
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jkap.2016.54.3.286

Abstract

Recently, flexible removable prosthesis with thermoplastic resin clasp has increasingly become popular. In comparison with conventionally used acrylic resin, thermoplastic resin has lower flexural strength and elastic modulus. Thus, flexible removable prosthesis has low risk of fracture, so denture base can be made thin and light, increasing patient comfort. Also, it can passively sit at tooth undercut during rest, so abutment teeth need minimum or no preparation. In this case report, a 44 year old female patient with mild velopharyngeal insufficiency was treated with a palatal lift prosthesis made of polyester thermoplastic resin. Since the patient had no missing tooth and desired conservative treatment, the flexible removable prosthesis provided relatively satisfactory results.

Keyword

Thermoplastic resin; Velopharyngeal insufficiency; Palatal lift prosthesis

MeSH Terms

Denture Bases
Elastic Modulus
Female
Humans
Polyesters
Prostheses and Implants*
Tooth
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency*
Polyesters

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Intraoral photos. (A) Maxillary dentition, (B) Mandibular dentition.

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  Fig. 2. Intraoral photo during "A" phonation. Star sign shows lower elevation of left soft palate.

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  Fig. 3. Mounted casts at CO with a final prosthesis. (A) Front view, (B) Lateral view.

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  Fig. 4. Flasking & packing process. (A) Putty investment, (B) Thermoplastic pellets, (C) Special flask for injection molding technique, (D, E) Pellets in a cartridge plasticized in an electric furnace, (F) Cartridge placed on the inlet of the flask and compressed, (G) Cooling, (H) Deflasking.

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  Fig. 5. Palatal lift prosthesis after polishing.

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  Fig. 6. Delivery.

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  Fig. 7. Prosthesis after relining with Coe-comfort.

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