Phonetic analysis during treatment with rapid maxillary expander

To investigate possible changes and/or device-related impairments in phonetic habits produced by rapid maxillary expansion (RME).

Thirty-five patients scheduled for RME were divided into two groups: Group A (banded two-arm Hyrax) and Group B (banded four-arm Hyrax). Speech samples were collected at six time points, before, during and after RME removal. Acoustical analysis was performed using PRAAT and BioVoice analysis tools. Ten volunteers completed a questionnaire on the acceptability of patient's speech. Maxillary dimensions and palatal volume were measured on dental casts before and after expansion using a digital gauge.

Voice analysis showed an increase in the peak frequency of fricative consonants (/s/,/ʃ/) after expansion, whereas there was no change of formant frequencies of palatal consonants (/ɲ/,/ʎ/). Vowel /i/ displayed a lowering of the first formant frequency, and an increase in the second and third formant frequencies. After bonding, Group B showed both a greater reduction in the peak frequency of fricatives and a greater increase in the formant frequencies of palatal consonants than Group A.

Rapid maxillary expansion causes a slight phonetic change in the acoustical parameters of both consonants and vowels. The two-arm Hyrax caused less speech impairment than the four-arm Hyrax during the treatment.