[The influence of major connectors of partial dentures of phonation: an instrumental analysis of speech].

After the insertion of removable dentures for restoring partially edentulous arches, phonation is affected by many factors, of which many influences are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various construction elements of maxillary and mandibular partial dentures on the formations of plosives, nasals, lateral approximates and fricatives. Twenty-four patients were included in the study. For each patient five different test dentures were constructed. Over a period of 24 h, six digital tape records were made for each patient. By this time, the patient had worn the dentures maximally 6 h. With the help of a computer-supported frequency analysis based on the principle of fast Fourier transformation (FFT), it was possible to demonstrate the differences in phonation in regard to denture design. During the test period, the patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire on denture comfort and phonation. This study also quantifies the influence of the sublingual bar on phonation. It can be assumed that the speaker tries to retain his habitual way of articulation despite the inserted test denture. Therefore, a phonation test immediately after insertion of a new constructed partial denture should be interpreted with caution because of the assumed compensation process. The results of this study could have consequences for dental therapy plans.