Prosthodontics & Occlusion · single question
A complete denture patient complains of hissing (sibilant 'S') sounds during speech. The MOST likely cause is:
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Correct answer: C. Excessive anterior tooth spacing (overjet) creating air escape
Hissing sibilant sounds occur when there is too much space between anterior teeth ('spacious anteriors') allowing air escape during 'S' sounds.
- A. Insufficient posterior palatal seal causes the maxillary denture to drop during function, not sibilant sounds.
- B. Labial incompetence causes different speech problems — not specifically sibilant hissing.
- C. CORRECT. Hissing sibilant sounds occur when excessive space between maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth allows air to escape during 'S' production. This is caused by incorrect anterosuperior positioning or excessive anterior spacing.
- D. Posterior occlusal discrepancy causes clicking or denture instability, not sibilant hissing.
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