Highlights
- •We compared occlusal features to speech samples in 115 subjects, 8 to 36 years old.
- •Predictable malocclusal traits were associated with speech sound errors.
- •The more handicapping the occlusion, the more likely the speech errors.
- •Open bite was the feature most associated with sound distortions, especially /s/ and /t/.
- •Lingual protrusion (lisp and tongue thrust) was the typical visual inaccuracy.
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to identify variables of dental malocclusion with the
greatest effect on sound production that can be easily identified during an orthodontic
assessment.
Methods
One hundred fifteen patients (8.2-36 years of age) seeking orthodontic evaluation
were assessed for speech sound production abnormalities. An orthodontic clinical examination
assessed Angle classification, overjet, overbite, crowding, spacing, and crossbites.
A standard speech sample was elicited from each subject.
Results
The results indicated that 71 (62%) of the subjects made a production error, particularly
with the /s/ and /t/ sounds. However, auditory distortions occurred in 12 subjects
(20%), and 56 (80%) subjects had visual distortions of the sound. An open bite (>2 mm)
was the key malocclusal factor underlying speech sound errors. There was statistical
significance between the Orthodontic Treatment Priority Index and the sound errors
of /s / and /t/ (mean score of 9.54 vs 6.29 for subjects without sound errors).
Conclusions
Predictive malocclusal traits are associated with speech sound production errors.
The more severe or handicapping the malocclusion, the more likely that a speech sound
error will occur. Open bites of 2 mm are associated with sound production errors.
Visual inaccuracy of the sound occurs with more frequency than auditory inaccuracy
and is the most common articulation error noted with occlusal irregularities.
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
December 2015
Received in revised form:
December 2015
Received:
April 2015
Footnotes
All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest, and none were reported.
Identification
Copyright
Copyright © 2016 by the American Association of Orthodontists. All rights reserved.
