Prosthetic reconstruction following resection of the hard and soft palate.

The restoration of the soft palate presents a challenge completely different from that of the hard palate. The mobility of the soft palate tends to interfere with velar extensions. The reduction in size of the soft palate extension to prevent impingement upon the mobile margins of the defect will lead to insufficient oronasal separation during functional activities. The solution is to construct a specially designed prosthesis to attain the maximum utilization of the remaining structures and their motility. Although each pharyngeal extension is different in shape, they give the patient an effective functional mechanism that enhances speech and swallowing.