The role of the prosthodontist regarding aspirative dysphagia.
Certain swallowing disorders characteristically may follow head and neck surgeries and neurologic disorders. Aspiration is one of the possible symptoms of dysphagia. Since aspiration can be life-threatening, prosthodontists should help to identify patients who aspirate. This article describes the normal swallowing physiology, the pathophysiology of swallowing disorders, and the prosthetic role in the treatment of patients experiencing head and neck surgical operations and neurologic disorders that may cause aspiration.
Gary
J J
JJ
William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Tex.
Johnson
A C
AC
Garner
F T
FT
D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D011476:Prosthodontics