Oral Functions - Speech

Question 1

What is dysphasia

Answer 1

A specific language disorder involving damage to particular parts of the brain:
Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area

Question 2

What is dysphagia

Answer 2

Difficulty in swallowing

Question 3

What is odynophagia

Answer 3

Pain on swallowing

Question 4

What is dysarthria

Answer 4

Difficulty speaking that is caused by problems with the muscles used in speech
Due to neuro-muscular defects

Question 5

Where are dysarthria lesions found

Answer 5

Descending neural pathways
Cranial nerves
Vocal muscles
Neuromuscular junctions

Question 6

What are the 5 oral causes of language and speech defects

Answer 6

Malocclusions
Loss of teeth and denture related
Cleft lip/palate
Tongue related
Dry mouth

Question 7

Give examples of malocclusions that might affect speech

Answer 7

Digit-sucking
Tongue thrust
Skeletal origin

Question 8

Describe cleft palate

Answer 8

Oral and nasal cavities are not separated
Speech has nasal quality
Palatal defect has to be repaired or filled with an obturator

Question 9

Give examples of conditions of the tongue that might affect speech

Answer 9

Tongue tie
Partial atrophy
Tongue stud

Question 10

Explain why xerostomia can affect speech

Answer 10

With inadequate saliva production, pronouncing words becomes difficult
People who have dry mouth and difficulty speaking cannot simply swallow and start talking normally

Question 11

What is torus mandibularis and when may is cause a problem

Answer 11

A benign neoplasm

Problem when patient needs partial dentures - can be surgically removed for this

Question 12

Describe torus palatinus and its affect on speech

Answer 12

Benign overgrowth of palatal bone in the midline

No problem with speech as it doesn’t affect the tongue’s movement

Question 13

What are common denture-related problems affecting speech

Answer 13

Problems mainly from restricted tongue space
Denture base plate is too thick
Artificial teeth not set properly

Question 14

How can the position of the tongue affect pronouncing the sounds th/s/sh

Answer 14

The surface is correctly shaped so the tongue can form narrow channel in the midline for producing the s sound
Excessively thickening of the palate laterally prevents close adaptation of the tongue to the palate so that the s becomes sh

Question 15

When can pronouncing f v and ph become a problem

Answer 15

When dentures are made on the wrong occlusal planes
When maxillary anterior teeth are lost as the sounds are made by the lower lip contacting the edges of maxillary incisors

Question 16

How should speech be assessed when replacing missing teeth

Answer 16

The tone of the lips and cheeks may be assessed by asking fundamental questions eg - address, family details
This will indicate the functional relationship of the lips and tongue to dentures in speech

Question 17

What is embouchure

Answer 17

The position and use of lips, tongue and teeth in playing a wind instrument

Question 18

Give examples of instruments containing intra-oral mouthpieces

Answer 18

Clarinet
Saxophone
Oboe
Bassoon
Bagpipes

Question 19

Give examples of instruments containing extra-oral mouthpieces

Answer 19

Piccolo
Flute
Trumpet
Horn
Trombone
Tuba

Question 20

What differences can be seen in radiographs comparing playing a high note to a low note

Answer 20

Position of mouthpiece relative to the teeth
Mouth opening
Relation of jaws
Position of hyoid bone
Position of dorsum of tongue

Question 21

What are dental issues for some musicians

Answer 21

Restorations
Tooth loss and replacement
Aesthetic dentistry
Tongue
Facial muscles - lips and cheeks