Nasal videoendoscopy in prosthetic management of palatopharyngeal dysfunction.

Application of nasal videoendoscopic procedures simplifies and objectifies design of an obturator prosthesis. Although oral videoendoscopic techniques are also valuable, the nasal perspective provides valuable information not visible from the oral perspective. Because the primary function of the obturator prosthesis is to eliminate hypernasal speech and perceived nasal emission of air associated with palatopharyngeal insufficiency, nasal videoendoscopy should be considered to verify proper soft tissue-obturator contact during speech.