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Speech and Jaw Surgery Study

This study is looking at how jaw and tooth position affect speech in people who are having jaw surgery. Researchers want to understand why many jaw surgery patients have speech problems, compared to the general population. They believe that certain jaw issues, like open bites or underbites, make it hard to pronounce words correctly. The study will observe if speech improves after orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) and orthodontic treatment. If you are between 15 and 40 years old and are having jaw surgery at UNC for a skeletal open bite, underbite, or overjet, you might be able to participate. The study will measure changes in your speech sounds and tongue movements before and after your surgery.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will watch how your speech changes over time. It plans to include 180 participants.
What's involved
You will have audio recordings of your speech and ultrasound recordings of your tongue movements taken before your jaw surgery and again 9-15 months after your surgery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your speech and tongue movements will be observed for 9-15 months after your jaw surgery.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04117360

Orthognathic Speech Pathology: Phonetic Contrasts of Patients With Dental Discrepancies Pre- and Post-Treatment Analyses

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 15–40Observational
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
~180 participants
Updated 2026-06-12 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Orthognathic surgery and Orthodontics

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Speech Distortion Phonemes over Time
Measured over pre-operation through 9-15 months post-operation
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Dentofacial Abnormalities
Dentofacial Deformities
Dentofacial Anomalies, Including Malocclusion
Malocclusion
Malocclusion in Children
Dentofacial Disharmony
Skeletal Malocclusion
Skeletal Malformation
Speech Sound Disorder
Speech Disorders

Explore related trials

MalocclusionSpeech Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
North Carolina1

Study leadership

  • Laura A Jacox, PhD, DMD, MS · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Professor

Who to contact

Laura A Jacox, PhD, DMD, MS
[email protected]
847- 702-0988
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Jaw surgery patient at UNC with a skeletal open bite, underbite or overjet greater than 5mm.
Age 15-40 years

Exclusion

Hearing loss
Learned English as a second language
Significant regional accent, as characterized by a speech pathologist
Developmental delay, performing several grade levels below age bracket
history of craniofacial disorder
genetic syndrome associated with known craniofacial presentation
history of craniofacial trauma
history of prior craniofacial surgery (excluding extractions and dental procedures)
Jaw surgery without fixed orthodontic appliances

What this trial measures

  • Change in Speech Distortion Phonemes over Timepre-operation through 9-15 months post-operation

    Audio recordings of consonant phonemes will be quantitatively analyzed using spectral moment analysis yielding mean values.

  • Change in Quantitative Tongue Gestures over Timepre-operation through 9-15 months post-operation

    Ultrasound analysis of tongue posture to quantitatively describe tongue position during speech.