The Assessment of Speech Quality and Intellibility After Replacement of Lost Teeth With Removable Dentures: Review of Literature

The prevalence of edentulism among Latvian population is high. According to the World Health Organization criteria complete tooth loss is regarded as a disability. One of the basic oral cavity functions is taking part in speech production. Alterations in oral cavity, caused by tooth loss and resorption of its supporting alveolar ridge, can produce changes in speech quality and intelligibility. This can lead to psychological and social problems, thus decreasing the patient’s quality of life. There are several options in replacing missing teeth. In Latvia prosthetic rehabilitation with removable dentures is in great demand. It is mentioned in literature, that removable dentures improve speech quality and intelligibility. However, there is no consensus in this field. The objective of this review is to screen literature for data related to the assessment of speech quality and intelligibility after replacement of lost teeth with removable dentures. Literature was selected through several electronic databases, as well as a manual search in dental journals. The detailed analysis of thirty two articles was performed and some significant facts were revealed. There exists an opinion, that removable dentures may have a negative effect on speech production. As the volume of oral cavity is diminished, resonation of oral cavity is decreased. Artificial teeth, removable denture base can limit tongue space and change the location of its articulation contacts. The assessment of speech quality and intelligibility is an essential diagnostic tool before and after prosthetic rehabilitation in order to provide the best option for restoring lost function. A standardized method for determining changes in speech quality after tooth loss and further prosthodontics has not yet been established. Semi-standardized instruments for the analysis of speech disorders are well documented when dealing with speech changes before and after prosthetic rehabilitation with various oral osseointegrated implant supported prostheses. For the Latvian language this method has not been described yet.