Impact of a conventional complete denture on fundamental frequency of speech: a quasi-experimental study

Introduction: Tooth loss alters speech, and while complete dentures aim to restore function, they may initially affect vocal pitch. Insertion of conventional complete dentures and the subsequent adaptation period influence the fundamental frequency of speech in edentulous patients. Objective: To evaluate the impact of conventional complete denture insertion and a 30-day adaptability period on fundamental frequency using a computerized speech-analyzing PRAAT software. Materials and Methods: A total of 66 edentate patients who visited the Prosthodontics Department of Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan were selected for this quasi-experimental study. The study was conducted from April till September 2024. Each patient was asked to say “three, two, one”, into a sensibel microphone (Joby Wavo POD) before conventional complete denture insertion, after denture insertion, and following a four-week adaptability period. A total of 198 recordings were then fed into a speech analyzer (PRAAT software) for acoustic analysis, to attain a numerical frequency value for each stage of denture adaptability. Results: The mean fundamental frequency of speech before insertion (181±66 Hz), immediately after insertion (179±66 Hz), and after 4 weeks of insertion (180±66 Hz), respectively revealed no statistically significant differences in Fundamental Frequency (F0) across the three stages (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The insertion of conventional complete dentures and the associated adaptation period do not significantly alter the fundamental frequency of speech in edentulous patients. These findings suggest that conventional dentures have a negligible impact on this aspect of speech function, supporting their continued use in oral rehabilitation.