Fabrication of a flexible prosthesis for the edentulous scleroderma patient with microstomia.

The exercise prosthesis serves as an interim device to achieve an increased opening of the jaws. Once the patient is able to insert the existing denture or when an impression tray can be placed in the patient's mouth without extreme discomfort, its purpose will have been achieved; the dentures should be relined or remade. Some patients need only achieve slight increases in the maximal vertical oral opening to make prosthetic treatment possible (Fig. 6). While this technique is useful for the edentulous scleroderma patient, it may have application for individuals with limited mouth opening secondary to facial burns or other scarring. It is suggested as an alternative to surgical correction through bilateral commissurotomies.