title: Malocclusion and its relationship to speech sound production: Redefining the effect of malocclusal traits on sound production.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Massapequa, NY.
authors.forename: Karen Marie
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Leavy
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY. Electronic address: pedort@aol.com.
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Cisneros
authors.affiliation: Clinical specialist, researcher, Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Etoile M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013060:Speech; D055815:Young Adult