title: Implant-supported palatal lift prosthesis in a patient with velopharyngeal incompetence: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use of dental implants in the treatment of velopharyngeal incompetence.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Velopharyngeal incompetence is characterized by the inability to contract the tissues of the soft palate. The most common causes are neuromuscular problems resulting from concussion and degenerative conditions of the central nervous system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The treatment using palatal lift prosthesis is well established in the literature; however, reports on the use of osseointegrated implants are scarce. Rehabilitation using only this type of fibromucosal support is difficult in edentulous patients, since the prosthesis has a palatal lift extension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The implants provided retention and stability to the prosthesis, improving swallowing and speech and contributing to improve the patient's quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article reports the rehabilitation of a patient with a totally edentulous maxilla with velopharyngeal incompetence using an implant-retained palatal lift prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Implant Odontology and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montagner
authors.forename: Luis Carlos da Fontoura
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.forename: Elken Gomes
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Rivaldo
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D060489:Prosthesis Retention; D011788:Quality of Life; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013499:Surface Properties; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials