3 Common Speech Problems Orthodontics Can Help (2023)

FAQs

Can orthodontics help speech? ›

Braces can be used to treat speech problems by eliminating gaps caused by improper tooth or jaw alignment. This allows the tongue to make a solid connection to the roof of their mouth, and for speech to flow correctly.

An orthodontist is a dentist trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat teeth and jaw irregularities. They correct existing conditions and are trained to identify problems that may develop in the future. Orthodontists work with people of all ages, from children to adults.

Stuttering or slurred speech is possible if the structure of the jaw or placement of teeth restricts that movement. Braces can align the teeth and open up room for the tongue.

The middle two incisors are mainly used for making strident sounds such as 's', 'z', 'f', 'j', 'ch', and 'th', so if those are missing, you will have a more pronounced speech impediment. So pronouncing words like 'feet', 'teeth', 'zoo', 'chair', and 'job' could be more challenging.

IMPROVE SPEECH AND PHONETICS

Invisalign is quite effective in improving speech by aligning your teeth in a way that you are able to pronounce words more efficiently. For instance, some people have longer front teeth which inhibit their speech.

growth; development of the dentitions and occlusion; diagnosis; interception and treatment of occlusal anomalies. Orthodontics" is derived from the Greek orthos ("correct", "straight") and -odont- ("tooth").

Phase 3: The Retention Phase

When the teeth have been correctly aligned, fixed braces and removable devices will be removed and discontinued. The most cumbersome part of the orthodontic treatment is now over. The orthodontist will next create a custom retainer.

The third level of orthodontics involves aesthetics, bite, and jaw alignment. This is the most comprehensive level of care possible in the field of orthodontics. By assessing and treating jaw joints, facial muscles, and all oral and maxillofacial structures, our doctors can provide an unparalleled level of care.

What is orthodontist responsible for? ›

They straighten crooked or misaligned teeth, fix bad bites and make sure jaws are correctly aligned. Orthodontic treatments aim to improve the way the teeth and jaws function, as well as the person's smile or aesthetic appearance.

Orthodontic Treatment Can Help Fix Speech Impediments

If you've struggled with a lisp or if certain sounds start with a whistle, this may mean you have an overbite or have gaps in your teeth. When upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth too much it can keep your tongue from finding the correct placement in your mouth.

However, while primarily a corrective action, braces sometimes impede speech fluency. Slightly slurred speech and other difficulties are to be expected as a normal response to the initial adjustment period. Although it may sound very disheartening, know that it is not a hopeless situation.

In addition, crooked teeth may cause speech problems. Your teeth are a vital element to proper speech and articulation. There are certain words and sounds that are very challenging to pronounce if teeth are crooked or misaligned. Crooked teeth can cause a lisp or whistling.

The answer is yes! The entire mouth is essential for speech, and this includes teeth. Any problem with your child's teeth or oral development can affect their speech. The lips, tongue, and teeth all work together to form words by controlling the airflow out of the mouth.

An overbite is a major cause of lisps and whistling while talking. Gaps between teeth can also cause lisps. Air is able to escape while making sounds that require you to press your tongue against your teeth, resulting in a whistling sound. Orthodontic treatment corrects malocclusions and closes gaps between teeth.

How Invisalign Affects Speech. The clear plastic trays that Invisalign uses to straighten your teeth are much more subtle than braces. Plus, their thinness makes them less obstructive and less likely to significantly impact the way you speak.

Common Causes of Many Speech Problems? An overjet (buck teeth) or openbite, or crossbite are the most common causes of speech impediments. Teeth must come together properly to create an air tight seal for the tongue to swallow properly in the roof of the mouth.

What are the most common orthodontic procedures? ›

The third and final phase of orthodontic treatment is the retention phase. This phase occurs once the teeth have moved into the desired position and the use of the dental appliance ceases.

Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, or interceptive orthodontics, typically occurs between 6 and 9 years of age, during the mixed dentition phase, when patients begin to lose their baby teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get a checkup with an orthodontist no later than 7 years old.

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment, unlike two-phase orthodontics, is completed in just one stage. Treatments like braces, metal or ceramic, “tooth-colored” braces, Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, are usually considered a comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists made a median salary of $208,000 in 2021. The best-paid 25% made $208,000 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $150,690.

However, a general rule of thumb is your kids should look at getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, this is before they've gone through puberty. If they've already gone through it, this means it'll be harder to adjust their jaw and/or teeth, as they've already settled into their post-puberty positions.

Rankings. Orthodontists rank #5 in Best Paying Jobs. Jobs are ranked according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors. Read more about how we rank the best jobs.

Why do we need orthodontic treatment? ›

Why should I have orthodontic treatment? Many people have crowded or crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment will straighten the teeth or move them into a better position. This can improve their appearance and the way the teeth bite together, while also making them easier to clean.

An orthodontist is a dentist with advanced, specialized training in treating, diagnosing, preventing and treating irregularities in the teeth and jaws. Notably, an orthodontist corrects misalignments that could require braces or another type of orthodontic treatment.

Braces can move your upper jaw forward or backward to help teeth meet. In severe cases, jaw surgery may be required per your orthodontist's recommendation.

Moving Teeth Forward

People think of braces being able to push teeth towards the palate, but braces can also pull teeth out towards the lips. An archwire with a shape memory is made of nickel-titanium and can pull teeth forward.

Braces are able to correct a wide range of dental issues that result from overbites, underbites, and other tooth misalignments, providing the patient with better overall mouth function and greater self-confidence.

Speech therapy assesses and treats speech disorders and communication problems. It helps people develop skills like comprehension, clarity, voice, fluency and sound production. Speech therapy can treat childhood speech disorders or adult speech impairments caused by stroke, brain injury or other conditions.

Put something flat like a spoon or tongue depressor on your tongue. Push against your tongue with the flat object, and push your tongue against the object. Hold for a couple of seconds. Repeat 5 times.

Muscle-strengthening exercises and controlled breathing help improve the way your words sound. You'll also learn ways to practice smoother, more fluent speech. Some people with speech disorders experience nervousness, embarrassment, or depression. Talk therapy may be helpful in these situations.

As we said, you have to get used to having braces in your mouth. At first, it can feel as if you have a bit of a lisp or you're talking differently. Your speech will typically return to normal within a few days.

Speech Impediments

One common sign of jaw misalignment is a speech impediment like a lisp. When your jaws and/or teeth don't properly align, it can definitely affect the way you speak. Correcting your alignment issues should help to alleviate the problem, although speech therapy may also be required in some cases.

Can dentist cure lisp? ›

Lisps (L, S, H, Th, G, R, RR, F, W, Ch words and sounds) can easily be treated by a Dentist with laser surgery, which would take less than 10 to 15 minutes to complete, aka: Frenelectomy and /or Frenectomy. Healing time normally takes a few minutes or a few hours.

However, while primarily a corrective action, braces sometimes impede speech fluency. Slightly slurred speech and other difficulties are to be expected as a normal response to the initial adjustment period. Although it may sound very disheartening, know that it is not a hopeless situation.

In addition, crooked teeth may cause speech problems. Your teeth are a vital element to proper speech and articulation. There are certain words and sounds that are very challenging to pronounce if teeth are crooked or misaligned. Crooked teeth can cause a lisp or whistling.

As we said, you have to get used to having braces in your mouth. At first, it can feel as if you have a bit of a lisp or you're talking differently. Your speech will typically return to normal within a few days.

You will notice a slight change in the way that your speech sounds. Not only to yourself but also to friends and loved ones. This can not only be due to the fact that you now have a permanent object inside of your mouth, but also because of the swelling and inflammation that will surround the initial setup.

The best thing you can do to get comfortable talking with braces is to practice speaking, you can start this by doing some speech drills that are available online. You can also get yourself accustomed to speaking by singing and reading out loud.

An overbite is a major cause of lisps and whistling while talking. Gaps between teeth can also cause lisps. Air is able to escape while making sounds that require you to press your tongue against your teeth, resulting in a whistling sound.

Speech. Crooked teeth and an incorrect bite or jaw alignment can cause many speech impediments. With straight teeth, you can speak more clearly and enunciate your words. A certain degree of confidence can also come with the ability to speak clearly.

When the teeth don't align properly, you have a higher tendency to develop speech problems. Crooked, overlapping, and twisted teeth change the placement of your tongue and may allow excess air to pass between your teeth, creating a whistle when you speak. The most common way to deal with crooked teeth is to get braces.

The main reason why your speech is impaired when you get braces is that the tongue and other muscles in the mouth may change slightly when the braces are put in place.

How long does lisp last with braces? ›

It might take a few days or even a few weeks, but you can expect your speech to return to normal fairly quickly. As your tongue adjusts to the space inside your mouth, you will soon be able to speak as you normally would.

You should only expect to wear your braces for a maximum of three years. While this may appear to be an excessively long period with braces on your teeth, please make an effort to understand that this is the worst-case scenario. Two years is an approximate time of how long your braces will last.

Common Causes of Many Speech Problems? An overjet (buck teeth) or openbite, or crossbite are the most common causes of speech impediments. Teeth must come together properly to create an air tight seal for the tongue to swallow properly in the roof of the mouth.

Malocclusion can lead to disordered speech, including lisps and the inability to properly produce strident sounds (sounds made because of fast airflow against your teeth, such as F, V, Z and Ch).