Rehabilitation of a Unilateral Cleft Palate with Endosseous Implants in an Edentulous Elderly Patient.

The objective was to describe the use of a maxillary obturator supported by dental implants and ball abutments in an adult edentulous unilateral cleft patient. Adult edentulous cleft patients who have had no corrective surgeries or failed attempts at cleft repair in childhood suffer from oronasal communication resulting in hypernasal speech, dysphagia, and compromised masticatory ability. Tissue-supported obturator prostheses in such patients provide for compromised function due to instability and lack of retention.