Management of Velopharyngeal Defects

All prosthodontists are aware of the basic objectives of prosthodontic therapy. A comfortable, cosmetically acceptable prosthesis that restores the impaired physiologic activities of speech, deglutition and mastication is a basic objective of prosthodontics care. Despite advances in the plastic surgery there will always be a need for maxillofacial prostheses for cancer and trauma patients. The maxillofacial prostheses present an attractive and practical alternative, when esthetic and surgical demands cannot be fulfilled. Rehabilitation of patients with maxillofacial defects, has always remained an enigma for the prosthodontist. The unpredictable nature of the defects and uncertainty of recurrence has always added to the many problems of the operator. An attempt has been made to review the prosthetic aspects of rehabilitation of these patients. It stresses upon the need of multidisciplinary approach, consideration for psychosocial well being of these patients in our attempt to be successful in returning our patients back to the society.