Prosthodontic Rehabilitation of a Completely Edentulous Patient With a Cleft Palate: A Case Report

Abstract

Clefts of the lip and palate are congenital anomalies that affect the orofacial region. Completely edentulous patients with a cleft palate present a unique challenge during complete denture fabrication. Complete dentures with an obturator and palatal extension need to be accurately fabricated to fulfill the functions of esthetics, speech, deglutition, and mastication. The case report presents the successful prosthodontic rehabilitation of a cleft palate female patient using a complete denture with a palatal obturator and pharyngeal extension. The palatal obturator extension provided good retention and stability for the maxillary denture. The patient's skill and previous experience with her old dentures played an important role in successful treatment. The patient was satisfied with dentures in terms of esthetics, chewing, swallowing, and speech.