The Frenuloplasty and Speech Therapy Influenced on Phonemes in Tongue-tie

ABSTRACT

Tongue tie, often referred to as 'Ankyloglossia', is a congenital condition, recognized by an unusually thickened, tightened, or shortened lingual frenulum, which limits movement of the tongue in activities connected with feeding and which has an adverse impact on both dental health and speech. A common definition and objective measurements have been rare because the tongue is a complete soft tissue structure without non- mobile landmarks. From March of 1996 to November of 2001, preoperative and postoperative speech evaluation, post-speech therapy were performed in twelve patients. Each low picture consonants test was observed in tongue-tie patients. Overall picture consonants test was improved after frenuloplasty and postoperative speech therapy. Preoperative value of liquids and fricatives were lower than the other alveolar phonemes(p<0.05) and it was improved after frenuloplasty(p<0.05) and postoperative speech therapy(p<0.05). Frenuloplasty itself can improve the articulation of liquids and fricatives on short follow-up. But Frenuloplasty and postoperative speech therapy can be more improvement of the alveolar phonemes.