Phonetics in Complete Denture

Artificial dentures are replacement for lost natural teeth and their associated investing structures. These replacements are required to simulate the harmonious relationship of the natural teeth during the performance of the essential functions of mastication, deglutition, speech, and respiration. A denture that significantly alters the position of the teeth or palatal contours can affect or interfere with speech articulation and intelligibility.Role of phonetics in fabrication of complete denture should be evaluated properly. Phonetics can determine patients existing vertical dimension and also can guide and judge proper placement of anterior artificial teeth, location of neutral zone, posterior palatal seal and other border or limiting area of the complete denture. Phonetics is a fundamental feature of prosthetic rehabilitation and, if not adequately considered in the treatment plan for a fixed or removable reconstruction, satisfactory results cannot be obtained.