The influence of tongue topography on speech disorders in children with dentofacial deformities

Abstract

Dentofacial deformities, particularly malocclusion, are widespread among children of early and middle school age and currently represent not only a medical but also a social issue, serving as a predictor of changes in tongue positioning and speech disorders in children. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between malocclusion, tongue position, and speech disorders in children during the mixed dentition period. The morphofunctional state of the dentoalveolar system in children aged 8 to 12 during the mixed dentition period was assessed.Demographic indicators, oral health status, and breathing patterns were evaluated. Tongue positioning and speech issues were studied. To assess the correlation between these parameters and determine the reliability of the obtained data, we used a Poisson model with a 96% confidence interval. A total of 150 schoolchildren participated in the study. It was found that individuals diagnosed with anterior open bite (96% CI 1.61–2.94) and those exhibiting oral or oronasal breathing (96% CI 1.53–3.92) more frequently showed altered tongue topography.Both deep bite and male gender were identified as protective factors against abnormal tongue positioning. Regarding speech distortion, deep excessive bite was found to be a protective factor against speech distortion (PR 0.41; 95% CI 0.24–0.71), while children with posterior crossbite were more likely to experience this problem (PR 1.77; 95% CI 1.09–2.88). It was established that an anterior open bite and posterior crossbite correlate with speech distortion or altered tongue positioning. At the same time, oral and oronasal breathing are associated with dysfunction of the masticatory apparatus.Literature data were confirmed, indicating that a deep malocclusion acts as a protective response of the body against changes in speech function disorders and pathological alterations in tongue positioning.This study is a fragment of the comprehensive initiative project of the Department of Surgical Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery at Poltava State Medical University, titled “Algorithm for the Comprehensive Treatment of Inflammatory Processes and the Prevention of Pathological Scar Formation of the Scalp and Neck after Planned and Urgent Surgical Interventions,” state registration number 0124U000093.