Hands OnSpeech sound errors related to malocclusion
Section snippets
Background
Orthodontic care is usually focused on dental esthetics and masticatory function, but speech production is an important consideration related to proper tooth and skeletal arch positioning. Normal sound production and the oral cavity interact dynamically so the orthodontist must be able to recognize and determine how dental abnormalities and orthodontic treatment are related to sound production (Fig). A deviation in dental structure or alignment may interfere with air flow and pressure, proper
Methods
The 115 patients ranged in age from 8.2 to 36 years and were seeking orthodontic evaluation. All underwent assessment of their speech sound production to identify abnormalities and evaluate Angle classification, overjet, overbite, crowding, spacing, and crossbite. Speech samples were obtained from each individual. The target sounds evaluated were /m/, /p/, /t/, /f/, /s/, /sh/, .ch/, /th/, and /l/. The Orthodontic Treatment Priority Index (OTPI) of Grainger was calculated for each subject to
Results
Fifty-two percent (60 subjects) of the group had an Angle Class I malocclusion, 41% (47) had a Class II malocclusion, and 7% (8) had a Class III malocclusion. All of the subjects had some degree of malocclusion, but 38% (44) had normal sound production and an open bite of 2 mm or less.
Sound production errors were noted for 62% of the subjects, with no differences related to age. The sounds were divided into the following groups: group 1, no sound production errors (44 subjects); group 2, errors
Discussion
Malocclusion variables were significantly associated with speech sound production errors, with more severe malocclusion problems most likely to be associated with a speech sound error. Both open bite and bilateral crossbite were more significant than Angle classification in producing a sound error. The /s/ and /t/ sounds were the most likely to be affected by an open bite. Visual inaccuracy was the most frequent error and may be viewed as a sound error when combined with articulatory
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Leavy KM, Cisneros GJ, LeBlanc EM: Malocclusion and its relationship to speech sound production: Redefining the effect of malocclusal traits on sound production. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 150:116-123, 2016
Reprints available from GJ Cisneros, Dept of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, New York Univ, 345 E 24th St., New York, NY 10010; e-mail: [email protected]