Tempororomandibular Disorders and its relation to Speech Production

Esther Mandelbaum Gonçalves BIANCHINI

This study has the purpose of assess the interference of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in speech production and its consequences. Fifty-one adult patients diagnosed with TMD, before dental and/or speech treatment, served as subjects. The results of this research suggest that TMD seem to determine speech articulation changes. It was often observed amplitude reduction of the mandibular movement. Such reduction can cause an increased compensatory activity of the peri-oral muscles. It is also observed that lateral mandibular deviations during the speech of the TMD patients are directly related to their preferred side for chewing. The voices presented monotonous quality, followed by hipernasality, hoarseness, harshness and breathyness. The amplitude reduction of the mandibular movement associated with vocal quality disorders damaged the speech intelligibility. The TMD seem to promote changes in the speech articulation as a protective adaptative mechanism, probably triggered by pain.

Keywords: TMJ. Speech Production. Mandibular Movement. Vocal Quality. Temporomandibular Disorders.

Monday, April 29, 2024 06:38