PROSTHODONTICS - American College of Prosthodontists

December 2005, Supplement, Volume 14, Number 4 65c. Appropriate surgical evaluationd. Appropriate endodontic evaluatione. Appropriate periodontic evaluationf. Implant evaluationg. Evaluation for surgical revision or reconstructionh. Graft evaluation3. Adjunctive care to support or retain prostheses4. Prosthesis placement5. Maintenance/alteration of prostheses6. Patient education7. Post-treatment careE. Specialty performance assessment1. Favorable outcomesa. Improved mandibular movementb. Improved occlusionc. Improved masticationd. Improved deglutitione. Improved speechf. Improved quality of lifeg. Improved facial supporth. Positive psychosocial responsei. Satisfactory patient adaptationj. Airway supportk. Improved control of fluids2. Known risks and complicationsa. Progression or recurrence of the diseaseb. Continued difficulty with mastication, speech, deglutitionc. Unstable prosthesisd. Lack of patient compliance or understandinge. Tissue changes requiring modifications or remaking of prosthesisf. Degradation of teeth and supporting tissuesg. Progression of the patient’s diseaseh. Material failure/incompatibilityi. Allergic responsej. Soft-tissue irritationk. Airway compromisel. Tissue breakdown/bone exposurem. Loss of integration of implantsn. Fracture of hardwareo. Unrealistic patient expectations11C) Palatopharyngeal Incompetence or InsufficiencyPalatopharyngeal insufficiency refers to the condition that results when the soft palate is of insufficientlength (as seen in congenital or acquired deformities) to achieve palatopharyngeal closure during thedynamic activities of speech, phonation, and deglutition. Palatopharyngeal incompetence refers to thecondition that results when the soft palate is of sufficient length but is compromised neuromuscularly,thus making palatopharyngeal closure impossible. The treatment of these disorders falls intotwo categories. This includes surgery and oral/dental prosthetic devices. The educationally qualifiedprosthodontist is most trained to design and fabricate prostheses to treat and manage these disorders.These prostheses mechanically alter the anatomy of the palatopharyngeal mechanism, minimizing theloss of air and fluids resulting in improved speech and deglutition. These can be either a speech-aid2010 CDEL Re-recognition of the Specialty Report 105 of 279