Dental OSCE 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The difficulty a patient experiences in making "S" or "V" sounds when wearing dentures is most commonly associated with the positioning of the maxillary incisors. If these incisors are placed too far superiorly, it can create challenges in achieving proper tongue placement, which is critical for the production of these sounds. The "S" and "V" sounds require the tongue to articulate effectively with the upper anterior teeth, so any misalignment affects phonetics.

This issue stems from the anatomical relationship between the teeth, tongue, and the surrounding oral structures. If the maxillary incisors are not positioned correctly, the patient's ability to form clear speech may be compromised. Proper denture construction takes into account the phonetic space required, ensuring that any prosthetic teeth are placed in a way that allows for normal speech function.

Other factors related to denture fitting can influence comfort and function, but in terms of phonetic production, the positioning of anterior teeth is particularly crucial for articulating specific sounds.