Speech pathologic evaluation of children with ankyloglossia

설유착증 환자의 언어병리학적 평가

Objective : There are close relationship between intraoral abnormal structure and speech-functional problem. Patients with cleft palate & ankyloglossia are typical examples. Patients with abnormal structure can be repaired toward normal structure by operation. Ankyloglossia may cause functional limitation - for example, speech disorder - even if adequate surgical treatment were done. And, each individuals have each speech disorders. The objective of this study is to evaluate the speechs of childrens with ankyloglossia, and to determine whether ankyloglossia is associated with articulation problem. We wanted to present criteria for indication of frenectomy. Study design The experimental group is composed of 10 childrens who visited our department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, dental hospital, Chonbuk university, due to ankyloglossia and articulation problem,. The average age is 5 Y 7M, M : F ratio is 4 : 1 at the time of speech test. The VPI consonant discrimination degree, PPVT, PCAT, Nasometer II, Visi-Pitch test result were obtained from each group. Result : There was significant difference for 'language development' through PPVT. Except 3 members of experimental group, all remainder showed retardation for 'language development'. For 'errored consonant rate', data showed more higher scores in alveolar consonant. There 'consonant error' in experimental group, mostly showed 'alveolar consonant', also a major modality of 'consonant error' was mostly distortion. Conclusion : We can judge the severity of ankyloglossia patient by examinig language development degree & speech test of 'alveolar consonant' . And we can make a decision for frenulotomy using these results.