Intelligibility and Acoustic Speech Performance of CAD/CAM Milled Titanium Partial Dentures

Overview

Partial dentures play a crucial role in restoring oral function and aesthetics for patients with missing teeth. Traditionally, these prostheses have been fabricated using materials such as acrylic resin or cobalt-chromium alloys. However, advancements in digital dentistry have introduced new materials and manufacturing techniques, including computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) milled titanium. While titanium offers advantages such as biocompatibility, lightweight properties, and corrosion resistance, its impact on speech performance remains understudied.

While the benefits of titanium in terms of durability, comfort, and biocompatibility are well-established, its impact on speech performance remains a relatively understudied aspect of its use in partial dentures. Speech is a complex function that involves the coordination of the teeth, tongue, lips, and other oral structures. The introduction of any foreign object, such as a denture, into the mouth has the potential to affect the way sounds are produced and articulated, which is why the impact of denture materials on speech must be carefully considered. Traditional denture materials, such as acrylic resin and cobalt-chromium alloys, have been extensively studied in terms of their effects on speech performance. Research has shown that the thickness, weight, and positioning of dentures can influence how well patients are able to articulate certain sounds, particularly sibilants (such as "s" and "z" sounds) and fricatives (such as "f" and "v" sounds). Thicker or poorly fitted dentures can interfere with the movement of the tongue and lips, leading to speech distortions or difficulties in pronunciation. Given that titanium is lighter and thinner than many traditional materials, it is reasonable to hypothesize that it could offer advantages in terms of speech performance. The reduced weight of titanium partial dentures may allow for more natural tongue and lip movements, potentially resulting in clearer and more accurate speech. Additionally, the precision of CAD/CAM technology allows for the creation of dentures that fit more snugly and comfortably in the mouth, further reducing the likelihood of speech impediments. However, despite these potential benefits, there is currently limited research specifically focused on the impact of titanium partial dentures on speech performance. Most studies on the material have concentrated on its mechanical properties, such as strength, durability, and biocompatibility, while its effects on speech have received less attention. As speech is a vital function for communication and quality of life, further research is needed to determine whether titanium dentures offer significant improvements over traditional materials in this regard.