Aerodynamic estimates of induced anterior orifice openings in human subjects

This study first examined the accuracy of pressure-flow area estimates of experimental openings in anterior palatal obturators of three adult subjects. Second, we evaluated pressure-flow measures of the same experimental openings using a model. Results indicated that percent error in orifice estimates was slightly higher for induced openings in human subjects (13%) versus those in the model (11%). Results for our human subjects were similar to those reported by previous investigators.