Factors influencing speech improvement following maxillary complete-arch implant-supported restorations: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: This study explored factors affecting speech improvement in patients with an edentulous maxilla after the delivery of a complete-arch implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis (IFDP). Materials and Methods: Patients who had received IFDP for edentulous maxilla were enrolled, and various potential speech improvement-related factors were considered, including patient demographics, anterior residual bone volume, preoperative facial features, preoperative acoustic parameters, and adaptation time. Acoustic analysis and perceptual ratings were used to assess three fricatives [s], [f], and [ɕ]. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between changes in fricatives and potential factors (α =.05). Results: The study included 50 patients (18 females and 32 males, aged 50.62 ± 15.71 years, range 19–76). Significant correlations were found among the change in the center of gravity (ΔCoG) of [s] and anterior residual bone volume, zygomatic implants number and proportion (p