Correlations between malocclusions and dyslalias

AIM: This was to evaluate the relationship between malocclusions and dyslalias and to plan a multidisciplinary approach between orthodontics and speech therapy. STUDY DESIGN: 880 children (448 males and 432 females) ranging in age from 6 to 10 years were examined at the Department of Orthodontics at Milan University to determine if a relationship between malocclusions and dyslalia exists and their correlations. METHODS: The children were examined by a speech therapist and an orthodontist. An examination of the occlusion and phonetics was conducted and compared with an age-matched control group. RESULTS: Correlations between malocclusion and dyslalia were found. The presence of Class III occlusion, diastema, increase in overjet, presence of open and deep bite, asymmetry have high tendency to be associated with speech disorders such as dyslalias. The presence of crowding and anterior cross bites have moderate tendency to be associated with such disorders; on the contrary Class II occlusion, upper incisors protrusion, posterior cross bite and TMD have low tendency to be associated with dyslalias. CONCLUSION: The effect of dyslalia on the speech organs is not constant. On the other hand, the effect of malocclusion on dyslalia seems to be more relevant and more frequent and to increase proportionally, depending on the severity of the malocclusion.