Actively Recruiting
Orthognathic Speech Pathology: Phonetic Contrasts of Patients With Dentofacial Discrepancies Pre- and Post-Treatment Analyses
Led by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Updated on 2025-05-25
180
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lead Sponsor
N
North Carolina State University
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how jaw and tooth positions affect speech in patients undergoing jaw surgery for dentofacial disharmony (DFD). They aim to understand why 80% of these patients experience speech problems, compared to 5% in the general population. The study focuses on how skeletal open bites and underbites may cause difficulties in pronouncing words, with the expectation that surgical correction can improve speech and tongue movements. The study observes patients undergoing orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment for jaw disharmonies. Speech and tongue movements will be recorded using audio and ultrasound before surgery, and at 3-8 months and 9-15 months after surgery. These recordings analyze specific consonant sounds and tongue gestures to measure changes related to jaw position correction. No new treatments are given, as all participants are already seeking standard care. Participants will pronounce words with specific phonetic contrasts while being recorded acoustically and via ultrasound imaging. Researchers will score speech distortion and tongue movement changes over time. Data collection aligns with surgical check-ups to avoid interference from swelling or splints. The main outcomes measured are changes in speech distortion and quantitative tongue gestures from before surgery to up to 15 months after. The study runs until December 2026.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Orthognathic Speech Pathology: Phonetic Contrasts of Patients With Dental Discrepancies Pre- and Post-Treatment Analyses
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Jaw surgery patient at UNC with a skeletal open bite, underbite, or overjet greater than 5mm
- Age between 15 and 40 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Hearing loss
- Learned English as a second language
- Significant regional accent as determined by a speech pathologist
- Developmental delay with performance below expected grade levels
- History of craniofacial disorder
- Genetic syndrome associated with craniofacial features
- History of craniofacial trauma
- History of prior craniofacial surgery (excluding dental extractions and procedures)
- Jaw surgery without fixed orthodontic appliances
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 to 3 months prior to surgery
Participants undergo speech recordings and ultrasound imaging to assess phoneme distortion and tongue posture before surgery.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 9 to 15 months post-operation
Participants are observed with follow-up speech and tongue movement assessments after orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment.
2 visits (in-person) at 3-8 months and 9-15 months post-operation
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27514
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Laura A Jacox, PhD, DMD, MS
S
Sherrill T Phillips, BS
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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