Use of Consonant Evaluation for the Adjustment of a Maxillofacial Prosthesis in a Mandibulectomy Patient: A Case Report

This case highlights the use of acoustic analysis in resolving speech difficulties encountered during mandibular prosthesis fabrication. Following mandibular resection and reconstruction, a 45-year-old male patient experienced persistent issues pronouncing the /sa/ consonant with a removable prosthesis in place. Psychoacoustic analysis revealed reduced sharpness in articulation, leading to precise adjustments of the prosthesis's lingual surface. This restored speech clarity, and the patient had no further complications over six years of follow-up. This case underscores the impact of mandibular prostheses on speech and highlights the value of acoustic analysis for guiding precise prosthesis adjustments to address pronunciation difficulties.