Lingual frenectomy and alveolar tap production: an acoustic and perceptual study.

In this phonetic study, productions of the consonant in the stressed syllable position of the word arara as produced by 13 subjects with short and/or anterior lingual frenulum were compared before and after lingual frenectomy. The results from the measurement of the stressed consonant duration and from the identification of the consonant manners of articulation based on the inspection of spectral characteristics are discussed and related to the answers to a perceptual identification test. After surgery, the number of tap productions did not increase, but alveolar productions did. These clinically relevant findings show frenectomy improved tongue mobility, but, as temporal controls were not totally re-established after surgery and 6-month speech therapy sessions, the production of the alveolar tap remained largely unchanged.

The speech pathology treatment with alterations of the stomatognathic system.

This article analyzes differences in orthodontic and craniofacial classifications and the role of the speech-language pathologist in adequately treating those patients with varying Class II and Class III malocclusions. Other symptoms, such as those of mouth breathing and tongue position, are compared and contrasted in order to identify characteristics and treatment issues pertaining to each area. The author emphasizes a team approach to myofunctional therapy and stresses the importance of collaborative treatment.

Adapted or atypical thrusting?

Distinguishing between the terms "adapted thrusting" and "atypical thrusting" is not the critical factor in planning treatment for patients demonstrating tongue thrust behavior. Evaluation of factors including age of the patient, breathing pattern, cranio-facial characteristics, head and body posture are important in determining when, and how to provide treatment.