Premium
Phonetic analysis during treatment with rapid maxillary expander
Author(s) -
Biondi E.,
Bandini A.,
Lombardo L.,
Orlandi S.,
Siciliani G.,
Manfredi C.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
orthodontics and craniofacial research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1601-6343
pISSN - 1601-6335
DOI - 10.1111/ocr.12136
Subject(s) - hyrax , formant , vowel , audiology , medicine , dentistry , orthodontics , psychology , speech recognition , computer science
Structured Abstract Objectives To investigate possible changes and/or device‐related impairments in phonetic habits produced by rapid maxillary expansion ( RME ). Materials and Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusion 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.