The dental prosthesis used for intraoral muscle therapy in the rehabilitation of the stroke patient. A preliminary research study.

The dentist can maximize the oral rehabilitation of the stroke patient's weak or paralyzed oral musculature, resulting in dysfunctional speech, swallowing and deglutition, with the use of palatal lift and palatal augmentation prostheses. The study described here evaluates functional changes using these prostheses for three post-stroke patients with left hemiparesis. Clinical tests indicated decreased nasal emission and hypernasality, and improved speech articulation. Videofluoroscopy evaluation showed improvement in the oral phase of swallowing. Patient self-assessment indicated improved satisfaction with treatment.