Orthodontics and Speech Therapy

Abstract

This thesis reviews how malocclusions and orthodontic treatments influence speech production by altering tongue position, airflow, and oral resonance. Conditions such as anterior open bite, increased overjet, and skeletal discrepancies can cause articulation distortions, particularly affecting sibilant sounds. Orthodontic appliances may temporarily affect speech, while early treatment and interdisciplinary care can help prevent persistent articulation patterns. The thesis emphasizes collaboration between orthodontists and speech-language pathologists, with orofacial myofunctional therapy supporting improved function, speech intelligibility, and long-term treatment outcomes.