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The relationship between malocclusion and speech patterns: a cross-sectional study
Nada E Tashkandi1, Razan AlDosary2, Hissah Zamandar3
1Department of Preventive Dentistry, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, 12734, Saudi Arabia.
BMC Oral Health
|January 14, 2025
Summary
Malocclusion, assessed by the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index, is linked to speech sound misarticulations in Arabic speakers. This highlights the importance of dental alignment for clear speech production.
Area of Science:
- Dental occlusion and speech science
- Linguistic phonetics and orthodontics
Background:
- Dental occlusion and dentition alignment are critical for producing speech sounds.
- The Arabic language presents unique phonetic complexities due to regional dialects.
- Understanding the link between malocclusion and speech sound errors is essential for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between malocclusion and speech sound misarticulations in native Arabic speakers.
- To identify specific Arabic sounds affected by malocclusion.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 100 native Arabic speakers.
- Malocclusion patterns were assessed using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index.
- Speech samples were evaluated by a speech therapist using the Jeddah Institute for Speech and Hearing Centre (JISH) articulation test.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven subjects (27%) exhibited improper sound articulation, primarily distortions (25) and substitutions (2).
- A statistically significant association was found between higher PAR scores and misarticulations of the Arabic sounds /ص/, /ز/, and /س/.
- No significant gender-based differences in misarticulations were observed.
Conclusions:
- A partial association exists between malocclusion severity (PAR index scores) and speech sound abnormalities.
- Collaboration between orthodontists and speech therapists is vital for comprehensive patient care, including pre- and post-treatment evaluations.
- Addressing malocclusion may improve speech sound production in Arabic speakers.
